Mutant receptors and their use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel substitution mutant receptors and their use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/567,294 filed Apr. 30, 2004 and U.S. provisional application No. 60/609,424 filed Sep. 13, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel nuclear receptors comprising a substitution mutation and their use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene within a host cell using this inducible gene expression system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various publications are cited herein, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. However, the citation of any reference herein should not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as “Prior Art” to the instant application.

In the field of genetic engineering, precise control of gene expression is a valuable tool for studying, manipulating, and controlling development and other physiological processes. Gene expression is a complex biological process involving a number of specific protein-protein interactions. In order for gene expression to be triggered, such that it produces the RNA necessary as the first step in protein synthesis, a transcriptional activator must be brought into proximity of a promoter that controls gene transcription. Typically, the transcriptional activator itself is associated with a protein that has at least one DNA binding domain that binds to DNA binding sites present in the promoter regions of genes. Thus, for gene expression to occur, a protein comprising a DNA binding domain and a transactivation domain located at an appropriate distance from the DNA binding domain must be brought into the correct position in the promoter region of the gene.

The traditional transgenic approach utilizes a cell-type specific promoter to drive the expression of a designed transgene. A DNA construct containing the transgene is first incorporated into a host genome. When triggered by a transcriptional activator, expression of the transgene occurs in a given cell type.

Another means to regulate expression of foreign genes in cells is through inducible promoters. Examples of the use of such inducible promoters include the PR1-a promoter, prokaryotic repressor-operator systems, immunosuppressive-immunophilin systems, and higher eukaryotic transcription activation systems such as ecdysteroid hormone receptor systems and are described below.

The PR1-a promoter from tobacco is induced during the systemic acquired resistance response following pathogen attack. The use of PR1-a may be limited because it often responds to endogenous materials and external factors such as pathogens, UV-B radiation, and pollutants. Gene regulation systems based on promoters induced by heat shock, interferon and heavy metals have been described (Wurn et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83: 5414-5418; Arnheiter et al., 1990, Cell 62:51-61; Filmus et al., 1992, Nucleic Acids Research 20: 27550-27560). However, these systems have limitations due to their effect on expression of non-target genes. These systems are also leaky.

Prokaryotic repressor-operator systems utilize bacterial repressor proteins and the unique operator DNA sequences to which they bind. Both the tetracycline (“Tet”) and lactose (“Lac”) repressor-operator systems from the bacterium Escherichia coli have been used in plants and animals to control gene expression. In the Tet system, tetracycline binds to the TetR repressor protein, resulting in a conformational change that releases the repressor protein from the operator which as a result allows transcription to occur. In the Lac system, a lac operon is activated in response to the presence of lactose, or synthetic analogs such as isopropyl-b-D-thiogalactoside. Unfortunately, the use of such systems is restricted by unstable chemistry of the ligands, i.e. tetracycline and lactose, their toxicity, their natural presence, or the relatively high levels required for induction or repression. For similar reasons, utility of such systems in animals is limited.

Immunosuppressive molecules such as FK506, rapamycin and cyclosporine A can bind to immunophilins FKBP12, cyclophilin, etc. Using this information, a general strategy has been devised to bring together any two proteins simply by placing FK506 on each of the two proteins or by placing FK506 on one and cyclosporine A on another one. A synthetic homodimer of FK506 (FK1012) or a compound resulted from fusion of FK506-cyclosporine (FKCsA) can then be used to induce dimerization of these molecules (Spencer et al., 1993, Science 262: 1019-24; Belshaw et al., 1996 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 93: 4604-7). Gal4 DNA binding domain fused to FKBP12 and VP16 activator domain fused to cyclophilin, and FKCsA compound were used to show heterodimerization and activation of a reporter gene under the control of a promoter containing Gal4 binding sites. Unfortunately, this system includes immunosuppressants that can have unwanted side effects and therefore, limits its use for various mammalian gene switch applications.

Higher eukaryotic transcription activation systems such as steroid hormone receptor systems have also been employed. Steroid hormone receptors are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily and are found in vertebrate and invertebrate cells. Unfortunately, use of steroidal compounds that activate the receptors for the regulation of gene expression, particularly in plants and mammals, is limited due to their involvement in many other natural biological pathways in such organisms. In order to overcome such difficulties, an alternative system has been developed using insect ecdysone receptors (EcR).

Growth, molting, and development in insects are regulated by the ecdysone steroid hormone (molting hormone) and the juvenile hormones (Dhadialla, et al., 1998, Annu. Rev. Entomol. 43: 545-569). The molecular target for ecdysone in insects consists of at least ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle protein (USP). EcR is a member of the nuclear steroid receptor super family that is characterized by signature DNA and ligand binding domains, and an activation domain (Koelle et al. 1991, Cell, 67:59-77). EcR receptors are responsive to a number of ecdysteroidal compounds such as ponasterone A and muristerone A. Recently, non-steroidal compounds with ecdysteroid agonist activity have been described, including the commercially available insecticides tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide that are marketed world wide by Rohm and Haas Company (see International Patent Application No. PCT/EP96/00686 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,028). Both analogs have exceptional safety profiles to other organisms.

The insect ecdysone receptor (EcR) heterodimerizes with Ultraspiracle (USP), the insect homologue of the mammalian RXR, and binds ecdysteroids and ecdysone receptor response elements and activate transcription of ecdysone responsive genes (Riddiford et al., 2000). The EcR/USP/ligand complexes play important roles during insect development and reproduction. The EcR is a member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily and has five modular domains, A/B (transactivation), C (DNA binding, heterodimerization)), D (Hinge, heterodimerization), E (ligand binding, heterodimerization and transactivation and F (transactivation) domains. Some of these domains such as A/B, C and E retain their function when they are fused to other proteins.

Tightly regulated inducible gene expression systems or “gene switches” are useful for various applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins in cells, cell based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic plants and animals.

The first version of EcR-based gene switch used Drosophila melanogaster EcR (DmEcR) and Mus musculus RXR (MmRXR) and showed that these receptors in the presence of ecdysteroid, ponasteroneA, transactivate reporter genes in mammalian cell lines and transgenic mice (Christopherson et al., 1992; No et al., 1996). Later, Suhr et al., 1998 showed that non-ecdysteroidal ecdysone agonist, tebufenozide, induced high level of transactivation of reporter genes in mammalian cells through Bombyx mori EcR (BmEcR) in the absence of exogenous heterodimer partner.

International Patent Applications No. PCT/US97/05330 (WO 97/38117) and PCT/US99/08381 (WO 99/58155) disclose methods for modulating the expression of an exogenous gene in which a DNA construct comprising the exogenous gene and an ecdysone response element is activated by a second DNA construct comprising an ecdysone receptor that, in the presence of a ligand therefor, and optionally in the presence of a receptor capable of acting as a silent partner, binds to the ecdysone response element to induce gene expression. The ecdysone receptor of choice was isolated from Drosophila melanogaster. Typically, such systems require the presence of the silent partner, preferably retinoid X receptor (RXR), in order to provide optimum activation. In mammalian cells, insect ecdysone receptor (EcR) heterodimerizes with retinoid X receptor (RXR) and regulates expression of target genes in a ligand dependent manner. International Patent Application No. PCT/US98/14215 (WO 99/02683) discloses that the ecdysone receptor isolated from the silk moth Bombyx mori is functional in mammalian systems without the need for an exogenous dimer partner.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,173 B1 discloses that various members of the steroid/thyroid superfamily of receptors can combine with Drosophila melanogaster ultraspiracle receptor (USP) or fragments thereof comprising at least the dimerization domain of USP for use in a gene expression system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,333 discloses a Drosophila melanogaster EcR and ultraspiracle (USP) heterodimer system used in plants in which the transactivation domain and the DNA binding domain are positioned on two different hybrid proteins. Unfortunately, these USP-based systems are constitutive in animal cells and therefore, are not effective for regulating reporter gene expression.

In each of these cases, the transactivation domain and the DNA binding domain (either as native EcR as in International Patent Application No. PCT/US98/14215 or as modified EcR as in International Patent Application No. PCT/US97/05330) were incorporated into a single molecule and the other heterodimeric partners, either USP or RXR, were used in their native state.

Drawbacks of the above described EcR-based gene regulation systems include a considerable background activity in the absence of ligands and non-applicability of these systems for use in both plants and animals (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,333). Therefore, a need exists in the art for improved EcR-based systems to precisely modulate the expression of exogenous genes in both plants and animals. Such improved systems would be useful for applications such as gene therapy, large-scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic animals. For certain applications such as gene therapy, it may be desirable to have an inducible gene expression system that responds well to synthetic non-ecdysteroid ligands and at the same is insensitive to the natural ecdysteroids. Thus, improved systems that are simple, compact, and dependent on ligands that are relatively inexpensive, readily available and of low toxicity to the host would prove useful for regulating biological systems.

Previously, Applicants have shown that an ecdysone receptor-based inducible gene expression system in which the transactivation and DNA binding domains are separated from each other by placing them on two different proteins results in greatly reduced background activity in the absence of a ligand and significantly increased activity over background in the presence of a ligand (pending application PCT/US01/09050, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference). This two-hybrid system is a significantly improved inducible gene expression modulation system compared to the two systems disclosed in applications PCT/US97/05330 and PCT/US98/14215. The two-hybrid system exploits the ability of a pair of interacting proteins to bring the transcription activation domain into a more favorable position relative to the DNA binding domain such that when the DNA binding domain binds to the DNA binding site on the gene, the transactivation domain more effectively activates the promoter (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,173). Briefly, the two-hybrid gene expression system comprises two gene expression cassettes; the first encoding a DNA binding domain fused to a nuclear receptor polypeptide, and the second encoding a transactivation domain fused to a different nuclear receptor polypeptide. In the presence of ligand, the interaction of the first polypeptide with the second polypeptide effectively tethers the DNA binding domain to the transactivation domain. Since the DNA binding and transactivation domains reside on two different molecules, the background activity in the absence of ligand is greatly reduced.

A two-hybrid system also provides improved sensitivity to non-ecdysteroidal ligands for example, diacylhydrazines, when compared to ecdysteroidal ligands for example, ponasterone A (“PonA”) or muristerone A (“MurA”). That is, when compared to ecdysteroids, the non-ecdysteroidal ligands provide higher activity at a lower concentration. In addition, since transactivation based on EcR gene switches is often cell-line dependent, it is easier to tailor switching systems to obtain maximum transactivation capability for each application. Furthermore, the two-hybrid system avoids some side effects due to overexpression of RXR that often occur when unmodified RXR is used as a switching partner. In a preferred two-hybrid system, native DNA binding and transactivation domains of EcR or RXR are eliminated and as a result, these hybrid molecules have less chance of interacting with other steroid hormone receptors present in the cell resulting in reduced side effects.

The EcR is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and classified into subfamily 1, group H (referred to herein as “Group H nuclear receptors”). The members of each group share 40-60% amino acid identity in the E (ligand binding) domain (Laudet et al., A Unified Nomenclature System for the Nuclear Receptor Subfamily, 1999; Cell 97: 161-163). In addition to the ecdysone receptor, other members of this nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H include: ubiquitous receptor (UR), Orphan receptor 1 (OR-1), steroid hormone nuclear receptor 1 (NER-1), RXR interacting protein-15 (RIP-15), liver x receptor β (LXRβ), steroid hormone receptor like protein (RLD-1), liver x receptor (LXR), liver x receptor α (LXRα), farnesoid x receptor (FXR), receptor interacting protein 14 (RIP-14), and farnesol receptor (HRR-1).

To develop an improved Group H nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system in which ligand binding or ligand specificity is modified, Applicants created substitution mutant EcRs that comprise substituted amino acid residues in the ligand binding domain (LBD). A homology modeling and docking approach was used to predict critical residues that mediate binding of ecdysteroids and non-ecdysteroids to the EcR LBD. These substitution mutant EcRs were evaluated in ligand binding and transactivation assays. As presented herein, Applicants' novel substitution mutant nuclear receptors and their use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system provides an improved inducible gene expression system in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells in which ligand sensitivity and magnitude of transactivation may be selected as desired, depending upon the application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Applicants describe herein the construction of Group H nuclear receptors that comprise substitution mutations (referred to herein as “substitution mutants”) at amino acid residues that are involved in ligand binding to a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain that affect the ligand sensitivity and magnitude of induction of the Group H nuclear receptor and the demonstration that these substitution mutant nuclear receptors are useful in methods of modulating gene expression.

Specifically, Applicants have developed a novel nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation. Applicants have shown that the effect of such a substitution mutation may increase or reduce ligand binding activity or ligand sensitivity and the ligand may be ecdysteroid or non-ecdysteroid specific. Thus, Applicants' invention provides a Group H nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system useful for modulating expression of a gene of interest in a host cell. In a particularly desirable embodiment, Applicants' invention provides an ecdysone receptor-based inducible gene expression system that responds solely to either ecdysteroidal ligands or non-ecdysteroidal ligands. In addition, the present invention also provides an improved non-ecdysteroidal ligand responsive ecdysone receptor-based inducible gene expression system. Thus, Applicants' novel inducible gene expression system and its use in methods of modulating gene expression in a host cell overcome the limitations of currently available inducible expression systems and provide the skilled artisan with an effective means to control gene expression.

The present invention is useful for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, orthogonal ligand screening assays, functional genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms, where control of gene expression levels is desirable. An advantage of Applicants' invention is that it provides a means to regulate gene expression and to tailor expression levels to suit the user's requirements.

DEFINITIONS

In this disclosure, a number of terms and abbreviations are used. The following definitions are provided and should be helpful in understanding the scope and practice of the present invention.

In a specific embodiment, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 20%, preferably within 10%, more preferably within 5%, and even more preferably within 1% of a given value or range.

The term “substantially free” means that a composition comprising “A” (where “A” is a single protein, DNA molecule, vector, recombinant host cell, etc.) is substantially free of “B” (where “B” comprises one or more contaminating proteins, DNA molecules, vectors, etc.) when at least about 75% by weight of the proteins, DNA, vectors (depending on the category of species to which A and B belong) in the composition is “A”. Preferably, “A” comprises at least about 90% by weight of the A+B species in the composition, most preferably at least about 99% by weight. It is also preferred that a composition, which is substantially free of contamination, contain only a single molecular weight species having the activity or characteristic of the species of interest.

The term “isolated” for the purposes of the present invention designates a biological material (nucleic acid or protein) that has been removed from its original environment (the environment in which it is naturally present). For example, a polynucleotide present in the natural state in a plant or an animal is not isolated, however the same polynucleotide separated from the adjacent nucleic acids in which it is naturally present, is considered “isolated”. The term “purified” does not require the material to be present in a form exhibiting absolute purity, exclusive of the presence of other compounds. It is rather a relative definition.

A polynucleotide is in the “purified” state after purification of the starting material or of the natural material by at least one order of magnitude, preferably 2 or 3 and preferably 4 or 5 orders of magnitude.

A “nucleic acid” is a polymeric compound comprised of covalently linked subunits called nucleotides. Nucleic acid includes polyribonucleic acid (RNA) and polydeoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), both of which may be single-stranded or double-stranded. DNA includes but is not limited to cDNA, genomic DNA, plasmids DNA, synthetic DNA, and semi-synthetic DNA. DNA may be linear, circular, or supercoiled.

A “nucleic acid molecule” refers to the phosphate ester polymeric form of ribonucleosides (adenosine, guanosine, uridine or cytidine; “RNA molecules”) or deoxyribonucleosides (deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, deoxythymidine, or deoxycytidine; “DNA molecules”), or any phosphoester analogs thereof, such as phosphorothioates and thioesters, in either single stranded form, or a double-stranded helix. Double stranded DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA and RNA-RNA helices are possible. The term nucleic acid molecule, and in particular DNA or RNA molecule, refers only to the primary and secondary structure of the molecule, and does not limit it to any particular tertiary forms. Thus, this term includes double-stranded DNA found, inter alia, in linear or circular DNA molecules (e.g., restriction fragments), plasmids, and chromosomes. In discussing the structure of particular double-stranded DNA molecules, sequences may be described herein according to the normal convention of giving only the sequence in the 5′ to 3′ direction along the non-transcribed strand of DNA (i.e., the strand having a sequence homologous to the mRNA). A “recombinant DNA molecule” is a DNA molecule that has undergone a molecular biological manipulation.

The term “fragment” will be understood to mean a nucleotide sequence of reduced length relative to the reference nucleic acid and comprising, over the common portion, a nucleotide sequence identical to the reference nucleic acid. Such a nucleic acid fragment according to the invention may be, where appropriate, included in a larger polynucleotide of which it is a constituent. Such fragments comprise, or alternatively consist of, oligonucleotides ranging in length from at least 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 39, 40, 42, 45, 48, 50, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 70, 75, 78, 80, 90, 100, 105, 120, 135, 150, 200, 300, 500, 720, 900, 1000 or 1500 consecutive nucleotides of a nucleic acid according to the invention.

As used herein, an “isolated nucleic acid fragment” is a polymer of RNA or DNA that is single- or double-stranded, optionally containing synthetic, non-natural or altered nucleotide bases. An isolated nucleic acid fragment in the form of a polymer of DNA may be comprised of one or more segments of cDNA, genomic DNA or synthetic DNA.

A “gene” refers to an assembly of nucleotides that encode a polypeptide, and includes cDNA and genomic DNA nucleic acids. “Gene” also refers to a nucleic acid fragment that expresses a specific protein or polypeptide, including regulatory sequences preceding (5′ non-coding sequences) and following (3′ non-coding sequences) the coding sequence. “Native gene” refers to a gene as found in nature with its own regulatory sequences. “Chimeric gene” refers to any gene that is not a native gene, comprising regulatory and/or coding sequences that are not found together in nature. Accordingly, a chimeric gene may comprise regulatory sequences and coding sequences that are derived from different sources, or regulatory sequences and coding sequences derived from the same source, but arranged in a manner different than that found in nature. A chimeric gene may comprise coding sequences derived from different sources and/or regulatory sequences derived from different sources. “Endogenous gene” refers to a native gene in its natural location in the genome of an organism. A “foreign” gene or “heterologous” gene refers to a gene not normally found in the host organism, but that is introduced into the host organism by gene transfer. Foreign genes can comprise native genes inserted into a non-native organism, or chimeric genes. A “transgene” is a gene that has been introduced into the genome by a transformation procedure.

“Heterologous” DNA refers to DNA not naturally located in the cell, or in a chromosomal site of the cell. Preferably, the heterologous DNA includes a gene foreign to the cell.

The term “genome” includes chromosomal as well as mitochondrial, chloroplast and viral DNA or RNA.

A nucleic acid molecule is “hybridizable” to another nucleic acid molecule, such as a cDNA, genomic DNA, or RNA, when a single stranded form of the nucleic acid molecule can anneal to the other nucleic acid molecule under the appropriate conditions of temperature and solution ionic strength (see Sambrook et al., 1989 infra). Hybridization and washing conditions are well known and exemplified in Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor (1989), particularly Chapter 11 and Table 11.1 therein (entirely incorporated herein by reference). The conditions of temperature and ionic strength determine the “stringency” of the hybridization.

Stringency conditions can be adjusted to screen for moderately similar fragments, such as homologous sequences from distantly related organisms, to highly similar fragments, such as genes that duplicate functional enzymes from closely related organisms. For preliminary screening for homologous nucleic acids, low stringency hybridization conditions, corresponding to a T_(m) of 55°, can be used, e.g., 5×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 0.25% milk, and no formamide; or 30% formamide, 5×SSC, 0.5% SDS). Moderate stringency hybridization conditions correspond to a higher T_(m), e.g., 40% formamide, with 5× or 6×SCC. High stringency hybridization conditions correspond to the highest T_(m), e.g., 50% formamide, 5× or 6×SCC.

Hybridization requires that the two nucleic acids contain complementary sequences, although depending on the stringency of the hybridization, mismatches between bases are possible. The term “complementary” is used to describe the relationship between nucleotide bases that are capable of hybridizing to one another. For example, with respect to DNA, adenosine is complementary to thymine and cytosine is complementary to guanine. Accordingly, the instant invention also includes isolated nucleic acid fragments that are complementary to the complete sequences as disclosed or used herein as well as those substantially similar nucleic acid sequences.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides are detected by employing hybridization conditions comprising a hybridization step at T_(m) of 55° C., and utilizing conditions as set forth above. In a preferred embodiment, the T_(m) is 60° C.; in a more preferred embodiment, the T_(m) is 63° C.; in an even more preferred embodiment, the T_(m) is 65° C.

Post-hybridization washes also determine stringency conditions. One set of preferred conditions uses a series of washes starting with 6×SSC, 0.5% SDS at room temperature for 15 minutes (min), then repeated with 2×SSC, 0.5% SDS at 45° C. for 30 minutes, and then repeated twice with 0.2×SSC, 0.5% SDS at 50° C. for 30 minutes. A more preferred set of stringent conditions uses higher temperatures in which the washes are identical to those above except for the temperature of the final two 30 min washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.5% SDS was increased to 60° C. Another preferred set of highly stringent conditions uses two final washes in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C. Hybridization requires that the two nucleic acids comprise complementary sequences, although depending on the stringency of the hybridization, mismatches between bases are possible.

The appropriate stringency for hybridizing nucleic acids depends on the length of the nucleic acids and the degree of complementation, variables well known in the art. The greater the degree of similarity or homology between two nucleotide sequences, the greater the value of T_(m) for hybrids of nucleic acids having those sequences. The relative stability (corresponding to higher T_(m)) of nucleic acid hybridizations decreases in the following order: RNA: RNA, DNA: RNA, DNA: DNA. For hybrids of greater than 100 nucleotides in length, equations for calculating T_(m) have been derived (see Sambrook et al., supra, 9.50-0.51). For hybridization with shorter nucleic acids, i.e., oligonucleotides, the position of mismatches becomes more important, and the length of the oligonucleotide determines its specificity (see Sambrook et al., supra, 11.7-11.8).

In a specific embodiment of the invention, polynucleotides are detected by employing hybridization conditions comprising a hybridization step in less than 500 mM salt and at least 37 degrees Celsius, and a washing step in 2×SSPE at at least 63 degrees Celsius. In a preferred embodiment, the hybridization conditions comprise less than 200 mM salt and at least 37 degrees Celsius for the hybridization step. In a more preferred embodiment, the hybridization conditions comprise 2×SSPE and 63 degrees Celsius for both the hybridization and washing steps.

In one embodiment, the length for a hybridizable nucleic acid is at least about 10 nucleotides. Preferable a minimum length for a hybridizable nucleic acid is at least about 15 nucleotides; more preferably at least about 20 nucleotides; and most preferably the length is at least 30 nucleotides. Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize that the temperature and wash solution salt concentration may be adjusted as necessary according to factors such as length of the probe.

The term “probe” refers to a single-stranded nucleic acid molecule that can base pair with a complementary single stranded target nucleic acid to form a double-stranded molecule.

As used herein, the term “oligonucleotide” refers to a nucleic acid, generally of at least 18 nucleotides, that is hybridizable to a genomic DNA molecule, a cDNA molecule, a plasmid DNA or an mRNA molecule. Oligonucleotides can be labeled, e.g., with ³²P-nucleotides or nucleotides to which a label, such as biotin, has been covalently conjugated. A labeled oligonucleotide can be used as a probe to detect the presence of a nucleic acid. Oligonucleotides (one or both of which may be labeled) can be used as PCR primers, either for cloning full length or a fragment of a nucleic acid, or to detect the presence of a nucleic acid. An oligonucleotide can also be used to form a triple helix with a DNA molecule. Generally, oligonucleotides are prepared synthetically, preferably on a nucleic acid synthesizer. Accordingly, oligonucleotides can be prepared with non-naturally occurring phosphoester analog bonds, such as thioester bonds, etc.

A “primer” is an oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid sequence to create a double stranded nucleic acid region that can serve as an initiation point for DNA synthesis under suitable conditions. Such primers may be used in a polymerase chain reaction.

“Polymerase chain reaction” is abbreviated PCR and means an in vitro method for enzymatically amplifying specific nucleic acid sequences. PCR involves a repetitive series of temperature cycles with each cycle comprising three stages: denaturation of the template nucleic acid to separate the strands of the target molecule, annealing a single stranded PCR oligonucleotide primer to the template nucleic acid, and extension of the annealed primer(s) by DNA polymerase. PCR provides a means to detect the presence of the target molecule and, under quantitative or semi-quantitative conditions, to determine the relative amount of that target molecule within the starting pool of nucleic acids.

“Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction” is abbreviated RT-PCR and means an in vitro method for enzymatically producing a target cDNA molecule or molecules from an RNA molecule or molecules, followed by enzymatic amplification of a specific nucleic acid sequence or sequences within the target cDNA molecule or molecules as described above. RT-PCR also provides a means to detect the presence of the target molecule and, under quantitative or semi-quantitative conditions, to determine the relative amount of that target molecule within the starting pool of nucleic acids.

A DNA “coding sequence” is a double-stranded DNA sequence that is transcribed and translated into a polypeptide in a cell in vitro or in vivo when placed under the control of appropriate regulatory sequences. “Suitable regulatory sequences” refer to nucleotide sequences located upstream (5′ non-coding sequences), within, or downstream (3′ non-coding sequences) of a coding sequence, and which influence the transcription, RNA processing or stability, or translation of the associated coding sequence. Regulatory sequences may include promoters, translation leader sequences, introns, polyadenylation recognition sequences, RNA processing site, effector binding site and stem-loop structure. The boundaries of the coding sequence are determined by a start codon at the 5′ (amino) terminus and a translation stop codon at the 3′ (carboxyl) terminus. A coding sequence can include, but is not limited to, prokaryotic sequences, cDNA from mRNA, genomic DNA sequences, and even synthetic DNA sequences. If the coding sequence is intended for expression in a eukaryotic cell, a polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence will usually be located 3′ to the coding sequence.

“Open reading frame” is abbreviated ORF and means a length of nucleic acid sequence, either DNA, cDNA or RNA, that comprises a translation start signal or initiation codon, such as an ATG or AUG, and a termination codon and can be potentially translated into a polypeptide sequence.

The term “head-to-head” is used herein to describe the orientation of two polynucleotide sequences in relation to each other. Two polynucleotides are positioned in a head-to-head orientation when the 5′ end of the coding strand of one polynucleotide is adjacent to the 5′ end of the coding strand of the other polynucleotide, whereby the direction of transcription of each polynucleotide proceeds away from the 5′ end of the other polynucleotide. The term “head-to-head” may be abbreviated (5′)-to-(5′) and may also be indicated by the symbols (←→) or (3′←5′5′→3′).

The term “tail-to-tail” is used herein to describe the orientation of two polynucleotide sequences in relation to each other. Two polynucleotides are positioned in a tail-to-tail orientation when the 3′ end of the coding strand of one polynucleotide is adjacent to the 3′ end of the coding strand of the other polynucleotide, whereby the direction of transcription of each polynucleotide proceeds toward the other polynucleotide. The term “tail-to-tail” may be abbreviated (3′)-to-(3′) and may also be indicated by the symbols (→←) or (5′→3′3′←5′).

The term “head-to-tail” is used herein to describe the orientation of two polynucleotide sequences in relation to each other. Two polynucleotides are positioned in a head-to-tail orientation when the 5′ end of the coding strand of one polynucleotide is adjacent to the 3′ end of the coding strand of the other polynucleotide, whereby the direction of transcription of each polynucleotide proceeds in the same direction as that of the other polynucleotide. The term “head-to-tail” may be abbreviated (5′)-to-(3′) and may also be indicated by the symbols (→→) or (5′→3′5′→3′).

The term “downstream” refers to a nucleotide sequence that is located 3′ to reference nucleotide sequence. In particular, downstream nucleotide sequences generally relate to sequences that follow the starting point of transcription. For example, the translation initiation codon of a gene is located downstream of the start site of transcription.

The term “upstream” refers to a nucleotide sequence that is located 5′ to reference nucleotide sequence. In particular, upstream nucleotide sequences generally relate to sequences that are located on the 5′ side of a coding sequence or starting point of transcription. For example, most promoters are located upstream of the start site of transcription.

The terms “restriction endonuclease” and “restriction enzyme” refer to an enzyme that binds and cuts within a specific nucleotide sequence within double stranded DNA.

“Homologous recombination” refers to the insertion of a foreign DNA sequence into another DNA molecule, e.g., insertion of a vector in a chromosome. Preferably, the vector targets a specific chromosomal site for homologous recombination. For specific homologous recombination, the vector will contain sufficiently long regions of homology to sequences of the chromosome to allow complementary binding and incorporation of the vector into the chromosome. Longer regions of homology, and greater degrees of sequence similarity, may increase the efficiency of homologous recombination.

Several methods known in the art may be used to propagate a polynucleotide according to the invention. Once a suitable host system and growth conditions are established, recombinant expression vectors can be propagated and prepared in quantity. As described herein, the expression vectors which can be used include, but are not limited to, the following vectors or their derivatives: human or animal viruses such as vaccinia virus or adenovirus; insect viruses such as baculovirus; yeast vectors; bacteriophage vectors (e.g., lambda), and plasmid and cosmid DNA vectors, to name but a few.

A “vector” is any means for the cloning of and/or transfer of a nucleic acid into a host cell. A vector may be a replicon to which another DNA segment may be attached so as to bring about the replication of the attached segment. A “replicon” is any genetic element (e.g., plasmid, phage, cosmid, chromosome, virus) that functions as an autonomous unit of DNA replication in vivo, i.e., capable of replication under its own control. The term “vector” includes both viral and nonviral means for introducing the nucleic acid into a cell in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. A large number of vectors known in the art may be used to manipulate nucleic acids, incorporate response elements and promoters into genes, etc. Possible vectors include, for example, plasmids or modified viruses including, for example bacteriophages such as lambda derivatives, or plasmids such as pBR322 or pUC plasmid derivatives, or the Bluescript vector. For example, the insertion of the DNA fragments corresponding to response elements and promoters into a suitable vector can be accomplished by ligating the appropriate DNA fragments into a chosen vector that has complementary cohesive termini. Alternatively, the ends of the DNA molecules may be enzymatically modified or any site may be produced by ligating nucleotide sequences (linkers) into the DNA termini. Such vectors may be engineered to contain selectable marker genes that provide for the selection of cells that have incorporated the marker into the cellular genome. Such markers allow identification and/or selection of host cells that incorporate and express the proteins encoded by the marker.

Viral vectors, and particularly retroviral vectors, have been used in a wide variety of gene delivery applications in cells, as well as living animal subjects. Viral vectors that can be used include but are not limited to retrovirus, adeno-associated virus, pox, baculovirus, vaccinia, herpes simplex, Epstein-Barr, adenovirus, geminivirus, and caulimovirus vectors. Non-viral vectors include plasmids, liposomes, electrically charged lipids (cytofectins), DNA-protein complexes, and biopolymers. In addition to a nucleic acid, a vector may also comprise one or more regulatory regions, and/or selectable markers useful in selecting, measuring, and monitoring nucleic acid transfer results (transfer to which tissues, duration of expression, etc.).

The term “plasmid” refers to an extra chromosomal element often carrying a gene that is not part of the central metabolism of the cell, and usually in the form of circular double-stranded DNA molecules. Such elements may be autonomously replicating sequences, genome integrating sequences, phage or nucleotide sequences, linear, circular, or supercoiled, of a single- or double-stranded DNA or RNA, derived from any source, in which a number of nucleotide sequences have been joined or recombined into a unique construction which is capable of introducing a promoter fragment and DNA sequence for a selected gene product along with appropriate 3′ untranslated sequence into a cell.

A “cloning vector” is a “replicon”, which is a unit length of a nucleic acid, preferably DNA, that replicates sequentially and which comprises an origin of replication, such as a plasmid, phage or cosmid, to which another nucleic acid segment may be attached so as to bring about the replication of the attached segment. Cloning vectors may be capable of replication in one cell type and expression in another (“shuttle vector”).

Vectors may be introduced into the desired host cells by methods known in the art, e.g., transfection, electroporation, microinjection, transduction, cell fusion, DEAE dextran, calcium phosphate precipitation, lipofection (lysosome fusion), use of a gene gun, or a DNA vector transporter (see, e.g., Wu et al., 1992, J. Biol. Chem. 267: 963-967; Wu and Wu, 1988, J. Biol. Chem. 263: 14621-14624; and Hartmut et al., Canadian Patent Application No. 2,012,311, filed Mar. 15, 1990).

A polynucleotide according to the invention can also be introduced in vivo by lipofection. For the past decade, there has been increasing use of liposomes for encapsulation and transfection of nucleic acids in vitro. Synthetic cationic lipids designed to limit the difficulties and dangers encountered with liposome-mediated transfection can be used to prepare liposomes for in vivo transfection of a gene encoding a marker (Felgner et al., 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84: 7413; Mackey, et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 85:8027-8031; and Ulmer et al., 1993, Science 259: 1745-1748). The use of cationic lipids may promote encapsulation of negatively charged nucleic acids, and also promote fusion with negatively charged cell membranes (Felgner and Ringold, 1989, Science 337:387-388). Particularly useful lipid compounds and compositions for transfer of nucleic acids are described in International Patent Publications WO95/18863 and WO96/17823, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,127. The use of lipofection to introduce exogenous genes into the specific organs in vivo has certain practical advantages. Molecular targeting of liposomes to specific cells represents one area of benefit. It is clear that directing transfection to particular cell types would be particularly preferred in a tissue with cellular heterogeneity, such as pancreas, liver, kidney, and the brain. Lipids may be chemically coupled to other molecules for the purpose of targeting (Mackey, et al., 1988, supra). Targeted peptides, e.g., hormones or neurotransmitters, and proteins such as antibodies, or non-peptide molecules could be coupled to liposomes chemically.

Other molecules are also useful for facilitating transfection of a nucleic acid in vivo, such as a cationic oligopeptide (e.g., WO 95/21931), peptides derived from DNA binding proteins (e.g., WO 96/25508), or a cationic polymer (e.g., WO 95/21931).

It is also possible to introduce a vector in vivo as a naked DNA plasmid (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,693,622, 5,589,466 and 5,580,859). Receptor-mediated DNA delivery approaches can also be used (Curiel et al., 1992, Hum. Gene Ther. 3: 147-154; and Wu and Wu, 1987, J. Biol. Chem. 262: 4429-4432).

The term “transfection” means the uptake of exogenous or heterologous RNA or DNA by a cell. A cell has been “transfected” by exogenous or heterologous RNA or DNA when such RNA or DNA has been introduced inside the cell. A cell has been “transformed” by exogenous or heterologous RNA or DNA when the transfected RNA or DNA effects a phenotypic change. The transforming RNA or DNA can be integrated (covalently linked) into chromosomal DNA making up the genome of the cell.

“Transformation” refers to the transfer of a nucleic acid fragment into the genome of a host organism, resulting in genetically stable inheritance. Host organisms containing the transformed nucleic acid fragments are referred to as “transgenic” or “recombinant” or “transformed” organisms.

The term “genetic region” will refer to a region of a nucleic acid molecule or a nucleotide sequence that comprises a gene encoding a polypeptide.

In addition, the recombinant vector comprising a polynucleotide according to the invention may include one or more origins for replication in the cellular hosts in which their amplification or their expression is sought, markers or selectable markers.

The term “selectable marker” means an identifying factor, usually an antibiotic or chemical resistance gene, that is able to be selected for based upon the marker gene's effect, i.e., resistance to an antibiotic, resistance to a herbicide, colorimetric markers, enzymes, fluorescent markers, and the like, wherein the effect is used to track the inheritance of a nucleic acid of interest and/or to identify a cell or organism that has inherited the nucleic acid of interest. Examples of selectable marker genes known and used in the art include: genes providing resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, gentamycin, kanamycin, hygromycin, bialaphos herbicide, sulfonamide, and the like; and genes that are used as phenotypic markers, i.e., anthocyanin regulatory genes, isopentanyl transferase gene, and the like.

The term “reporter gene” means a nucleic acid encoding an identifying factor that is able to be identified based upon the reporter gene's effect, wherein the effect is used to track the inheritance of a nucleic acid of interest, to identify a cell or organism that has inherited the nucleic acid of interest, and/or to measure gene expression induction or transcription. Examples of reporter genes known and used in the art include: luciferase (Luc), green fluorescent protein (GFP), chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), β-galactosidase (LacZ), β-glucuronidase (Gus), and the like. Selectable marker genes may also be considered reporter genes.

“Promoter” refers to a DNA sequence capable of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or functional RNA. In general, a coding sequence is located 3′ to a promoter sequence. Promoters may be derived in their entirety from a native gene, or be composed of different elements derived from different promoters found in nature, or even comprise synthetic DNA segments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that different promoters may direct the expression of a gene in different tissues or cell types, or at different stages of development, or in response to different environmental or physiological conditions. Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed in most cell types at most times are commonly referred to as “constitutive promoters”. Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed in a specific cell type are commonly referred to as “cell-specific promoters” or “tissue-specific promoters”. Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed at a specific stage of development or cell differentiation are commonly referred to as “developmentally-specific promoters” or “cell differentiation-specific promoters”. Promoters that are induced and cause a gene to be expressed following exposure or treatment of the cell with an agent, biological molecule, chemical, ligand, light, or the like that induces the promoter are commonly referred to as “inducible promoters” or “regulatable promoters”. It is further recognized that since in most cases the exact boundaries of regulatory sequences have not been completely defined, DNA fragments of different lengths may have identical promoter activity.

A “promoter sequence” is a DNA regulatory region capable of binding RNA polymerase in a cell and initiating transcription of a downstream (3′ direction) coding sequence. For purposes of defining the present invention, the promoter sequence is bounded at its 3′ terminus by the transcription initiation site and extends upstream (5′ direction) to include the minimum number of bases or elements necessary to initiate transcription at levels detectable above background. Within the promoter sequence will be found a transcription initiation site (conveniently defined for example, by mapping with nuclease S1), as well as protein binding domains (consensus sequences) responsible for the binding of RNA polymerase.

A coding sequence is “under the control” of transcriptional and translational control sequences in a cell when RNA polymerase transcribes the coding sequence into mRNA, which is then trans-RNA spliced (if the coding sequence contains introns) and translated into the protein encoded by the coding sequence.

“Transcriptional and translational control sequences” are DNA regulatory sequences, such as promoters, enhancers, terminators, and the like, that provide for the expression of a coding sequence in a host cell. In eukaryotic cells, polyadenylation signals are control sequences.

The term “response element” means one or more cis-acting DNA elements which confer responsiveness on a promoter mediated through interaction with the DNA-binding domains of the first chimeric gene. This DNA element may be either palindromic (perfect or imperfect) in its sequence or composed of sequence motifs or half sites separated by a variable number of nucleotides. The half sites can be similar or identical and arranged as either direct or inverted repeats or as a single half site or multimers of adjacent half sites in tandem. The response element may comprise a minimal promoter isolated from different organisms depending upon the nature of the cell or organism into which the response element will be incorporated. The DNA binding domain of the first hybrid protein binds, in the presence or absence of a ligand, to the DNA sequence of a response element to initiate or suppress transcription of downstream gene(s) under the regulation of this response element. Examples of DNA sequences for response elements of the natural ecdysone receptor include: RRGG/TTCANTGAC/ACYY (see Cherbas L., et. al., (1991), Genes Dev. 5, 120-131); AGGTCAN_((n))AGGTCA, where N_((n)) can be one or more spacer nucleotides (see D'Avino P P., et. al., (1995), Mol. Cell. Endocrinol, 113, 1-9); and GGGTTGAATGAATTT (see Antoniewski C., et. al., (1994). Mol. Cell Biol. 14, 4465-4474).

The term “operably linked” refers to the association of nucleic acid sequences on a single nucleic acid fragment so that the function of one is affected by the other. For example, a promoter is operably linked with a coding sequence when it is capable of affecting the expression of that coding sequence (i.e., that the coding sequence is under the transcriptional control of the promoter). Coding sequences can be operably linked to regulatory sequences in sense or antisense orientation.

The term “expression”, as used herein, refers to the transcription and stable accumulation of sense (mRNA) or antisense RNA derived from a nucleic acid or polynucleotide. Expression may also refer to translation of mRNA into a protein or polypeptide.

The terms “cassette”, “expression cassette” and “gene expression cassette” refer to a segment of DNA that can be inserted into a nucleic acid or polynucleotide at specific restriction sites or by homologous recombination. The segment of DNA comprises a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide of interest, and the cassette and restriction sites are designed to ensure insertion of the cassette in the proper reading frame for transcription and translation. “Transformation cassette” refers to a specific vector comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide of interest and having elements in addition to the polynucleotide that facilitate transformation of a particular host cell. Cassettes, expression cassettes, gene expression cassettes and transformation cassettes of the invention may also comprise elements that allow for enhanced expression of a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of interest in a host cell. These elements may include, but are not limited to: a promoter, a minimal promoter, an enhancer, a response element, a terminator sequence, a polyadenylation sequence, and the like.

For purposes of this invention, the term “gene switch” refers to the combination of a response element associated with a promoter, and an EcR-based system, which in the presence of one or more ligands, modulates the expression of a gene into which the response element and promoter are incorporated.

The terms “modulate” and “modulates” mean to induce, reduce or inhibit nucleic acid or gene expression, resulting in the respective induction, reduction or inhibition of protein or polypeptide production.

The plasmids or vectors according to the invention may further comprise at least one promoter suitable for driving expression of a gene in a host cell. The term “expression vector” means a vector, plasmid or vehicle designed to enable the expression of an inserted nucleic acid sequence following transformation into the host. The cloned gene, i.e., the inserted nucleic acid sequence, is usually placed under the control of control elements such as a promoter, a minimal promoter, an enhancer, or the like. Initiation control regions or promoters, which are useful to drive expression of a nucleic acid in the desired host cell are numerous and familiar to those skilled in the art. Virtually any promoter capable of driving these genes is suitable for the present invention including but not limited to: viral promoters, bacterial promoters, animal promoters, mammalian promoters, synthetic promoters, constitutive promoters, tissue specific promoter, developmental specific promoters, inducible promoters, light regulated promoters; CYC1, HIS3, GAL1, GAL4, GAL10, ADH1, PGK, PHO5, GAPDH, ADC1, TRP1, URA3, LEU2, ENO, TPI, alkaline phosphatase promoters (useful for expression in Saccharomyces); AOX1 promoter (useful for expression in Pichia); β-lactamase, lac, ara, tet, trp, lP_(L), lP_(R), T7, tac, and trc promoters (useful for expression in Escherichia coli); light regulated-, seed specific-, pollen specific-, ovary specific-, pathogenesis or disease related-, cauliflower mosaic virus 35S, CMV 35S minimal, cassava vein mosaic virus (CsVMV), chlorophyll a/b binding protein, ribulose 1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase, shoot-specific, root specific, chitinase, stress inducible, rice tungro bacilliform virus, plant super-promoter, potato leucine aminopeptidase, nitrate reductase, mannopine synthase, nopaline synthase, ubiquitin, zein protein, and anthocyanin promoters (useful for expression in plant cells); animal and mammalian promoters known in the art include, but are not limited to, the SV40 early (SV40e) promoter region, the promoter contained in the 3′ long terminal repeat (LTR) of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), the promoters of the E1A or major late promoter (MLP) genes of adenoviruses (Ad), the cytomegalovirus (CMV) early promoter, the herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase (TK) promoter, a baculovirus IE1 promoter, an elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1) promoter, a phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) promoter, a ubiquitin (Ubc) promoter, an albumin promoter, the regulatory sequences of the mouse metallothionein-L promoter and transcriptional control regions, the ubiquitous promoters (HPRT, vimentin, α-actin, tubulin and the like), the promoters of the intermediate filaments (desmin, neurofilaments, keratin, GFAP, and the like), the promoters of therapeutic genes (of the MDR, CFTR or factor VIII type, and the like), pathogenesis or disease related-promoters, and promoters that exhibit tissue specificity and have been utilized in transgenic animals, such as the elastase I gene control region which is active in pancreatic acinar cells; insulin gene control region active in pancreatic beta cells, immunoglobulin gene control region active in lymphoid cells, mouse mammary tumor virus control region active in testicular, breast, lymphoid and mast cells; albumin gene, Apo AI and Apo AII control regions active in liver, alpha-fetoprotein gene control region active in liver, alpha 1-antitrypsin gene control region active in the liver, beta-globin gene control region active in myeloid cells, myelin basic protein gene control region active in oligodendrocyte cells in the brain, myosin light chain-2 gene control region active in skeletal muscle, and gonadotropic releasing hormone gene control region active in the hypothalamus, pyruvate kinase promoter, villin promoter, promoter of the fatty acid binding intestinal protein, promoter of the smooth muscle cell α-actin, and the like. In addition, these expression sequences may be modified by addition of enhancer or regulatory sequences and the like.

Enhancers that may be used in embodiments of the invention include but are not limited to: an SV40 enhancer, a cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer, an elongation factor 1 (EF1) enhancer, yeast enhancers, viral gene enhancers, and the like.

Termination control regions, i.e., terminator or polyadenylation sequences, may also be derived from various genes native to the preferred hosts. Optionally, a termination site may be unnecessary however, it is most preferred if included. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the termination control region may be comprise or be derived from a synthetic sequence, synthetic polyadenylation signal, an SV40 late polyadenylation signal, an SV40 polyadenylation signal, a bovine growth hormone (BGH) polyadenylation signal, viral terminator sequences, or the like.

The terms “3′ non-coding sequences” or “3′ untranslated region (UTR)” refer to DNA sequences located downstream (3′) of a coding sequence and may comprise polyadenylation [poly(A)] recognition sequences and other sequences encoding regulatory signals capable of affecting mRNA processing or gene expression. The polyadenylation signal is usually characterized by affecting the addition of polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3′ end of the mRNA precursor.

“Regulatory region” means a nucleic acid sequence that regulates the expression of a second nucleic acid sequence. A regulatory region may include sequences which are naturally responsible for expressing a particular nucleic acid (a homologous region) or may include sequences of a different origin that are responsible for expressing different proteins or even synthetic proteins (a heterologous region). In particular, the sequences can be sequences of prokaryotic, eukaryotic, or viral genes or derived sequences that stimulate or repress transcription of a gene in a specific or non-specific manner and in an inducible or non-inducible manner. Regulatory regions include origins of replication, RNA splice sites, promoters, enhancers, transcriptional termination sequences, and signal sequences which direct the polypeptide into the secretory pathways of the target cell.

A regulatory region from a “heterologous source” is a regulatory region that is not naturally associated with the expressed nucleic acid. Included among the heterologous regulatory regions are regulatory regions from a different species, regulatory regions from a different gene, hybrid regulatory sequences, and regulatory sequences which do not occur in nature, but which are designed by one having ordinary skill in the art.

“RNA transcript” refers to the product resulting from RNA polymerase-catalyzed transcription of a DNA sequence. When the RNA transcript is a perfect complementary copy of the DNA sequence, it is referred to as the primary transcript or it may be a RNA sequence derived from post-transcriptional processing of the primary transcript and is referred to as the mature RNA. “Messenger RNA (mRNA)” refers to the RNA that is without introns and that can be translated into protein by the cell. “cDNA” refers to a double-stranded DNA that is complementary to and derived from mRNA. “Sense” RNA refers to RNA transcript that includes the mRNA and so can be translated into protein by the cell. “Antisense RNA” refers to a RNA transcript that is complementary to all or part of a target primary transcript or mRNA and that blocks the expression of a target gene. The complementarity of an antisense RNA may be with any part of the specific gene transcript, i.e., at the 5′ non-coding sequence, 3′ non-coding sequence, or the coding sequence. “Functional RNA” refers to antisense RNA, ribozyme RNA, or other RNA that is not translated yet has an effect on cellular processes.

A “polypeptide” is a polymeric compound comprised of covalently linked amino acid residues. Amino acids have the following general structure:

Amino acids are classified into seven groups on the basis of the side chain R: (1) aliphatic side chains, (2) side chains containing a hydroxylic (OH) group, (3) side chains containing sulfur atoms, (4) side chains containing an acidic or amide group, (5) side chains containing a basic group, (6) side chains containing an aromatic ring, and (7) proline, an imino acid in which the side chain is fused to the amino group. A polypeptide of the invention preferably comprises at least about 14 amino acids.

A “protein” is a polypeptide that performs a structural or functional role in a living cell.

An “isolated polypeptide” or “isolated protein” is a polypeptide or protein that is substantially free of those compounds that are normally associated therewith in its natural state (e.g., other proteins or polypeptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids). “Isolated” is not meant to exclude artificial or synthetic mixtures with other compounds, or the presence of impurities which do not interfere with biological activity, and which may be present, for example, due to incomplete purification, addition of stabilizers, or compounding into a pharmaceutically acceptable preparation.

A “substitution mutant polypeptide” or a “substitution mutant” will be understood to mean a mutant polypeptide comprising a substitution of at least one (1) wild-type or naturally occurring amino acid with a different amino acid relative to the wild-type or naturally occurring polypeptide. A substitution mutant polypeptide may comprise only one (1) wild-type or naturally occurring amino acid substitution and may be referred to as a “point mutant” or a “single point mutant” polypeptide. Alternatively, a substitution mutant polypeptide may comprise a substitution of two (2) or more wild-type or naturally occurring amino acids with 2 or more amino acids relative to the wild-type or naturally-occurring polypeptide. According to the invention, a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain polypeptide comprising a substitution mutation comprises a substitution of at least one (1) wild-type or naturally occurring amino acid with a different amino acid relative to the wild-type or naturally occurring Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain polypeptide.

Wherein the substitution mutant polypeptide comprises a substitution of two (2) or more wild-type or naturally occurring amino acids, this substitution may comprise either an equivalent number of wild-type or naturally occurring amino acids deleted for the substitution, i.e., 2 wild-type or naturally occurring amino acids replaced with 2 non-wild-type or non-naturally occurring amino acids, or a non-equivalent number of wild-type amino acids deleted for the substitution, i.e., 2 wild-type amino acids replaced with 1 non-wild-type amino acid (a substitution+deletion mutation), or 2 wild-type amino acids replaced with 3 non-wild-type amino acids (a substitution+insertion mutation). Substitution mutants may be described using an abbreviated nomenclature system to indicate the amino acid residue and number replaced within the reference polypeptide sequence and the new substituted amino acid residue. For example, a substitution mutant in which the twentieth (20^(th)) amino acid residue of a polypeptide is substituted may be abbreviated as “x20z”, wherein “x” is the amino acid to be replaced, “20” is the amino acid residue position or number within the polypeptide, and “z” is the new substituted amino acid. Therefore, a substitution mutant abbreviated interchangeably as “E20A” or “Glu20Ala” indicates that the mutant comprises an alanine residue (commonly abbreviated in the art as “A” or “Ala”) in place of the glutamic acid (commonly abbreviated in the art as “E” or “Glu”) at position 20 of the polypeptide. A mutation or mutant can be any change, including but not limited to substitutions, deletions, insertions, or any combination thereof.

A substitution mutation may be made by any technique for mutagenesis known in the art, including but not limited to, in vitro site-directed mutagenesis (Hutchinson, C., et al., 1978, J. Biol. Chem. 253: 6551; Zoller and Smith, 1984, DNA 3: 479-488; Oliphant et al., 1986, Gene 44: 177; Hutchinson et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83: 710), use of TAB® linkers (Pharmacia), restriction endonuclease digestion/fragment deletion and substitution, PCR-mediated/oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, and the like. PCR-based techniques are preferred for site-directed mutagenesis (see Higuchi, 1989, “Using PCR to Engineer DNA”, in PCR Technology: Principles and Applications for DNA Amplification, H. Erlich, ed., Stockton Press, Chapter 6, pp. 61-70).

“Fragment” of a polypeptide according to the invention will be understood to mean a polypeptide whose amino acid sequence is shorter than that of the reference polypeptide and which comprises, over the entire portion with these reference polypeptides, an identical amino acid sequence. Such fragments may, where appropriate, be included in a larger polypeptide of which they are a part. Such fragments of a polypeptide according to the invention may have a length of at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 100, 200, 240, or 300 amino acids.

A “variant” of a polypeptide or protein is any analogue, fragment, derivative, or mutant which is derived from a polypeptide or protein and which retains at least one biological property of the polypeptide or protein. Different variants of the polypeptide or protein may exist in nature. These variants may be allelic variations characterized by differences in the nucleotide sequences of the structural gene coding for the protein, or may involve differential splicing or post-translational modification. The skilled artisan can produce variants having single or multiple amino acid substitutions, deletions, additions, or replacements. These variants may include, inter alia: (a) variants in which one or more amino acid residues are substituted with conservative or non-conservative amino acids, (b) variants in which one or more amino acids are added to the polypeptide or protein, (c) variants in which one or more of the amino acids includes a substituent group, and (d) variants in which the polypeptide or protein is fused with another polypeptide such as serum albumin. The techniques for obtaining these variants, including genetic (suppressions, deletions, mutations, etc.), chemical, and enzymatic techniques, are known to persons having ordinary skill in the art. A variant polypeptide preferably comprises at least about 14 amino acids.

A “heterologous protein” refers to a protein not naturally produced in the cell.

A “mature protein” refers to a post-translationally processed polypeptide; i.e., one from which any pre- or propeptides present in the primary translation product have been removed. “Precursor” protein refers to the primary product of translation of mRNA; i.e., with pre- and propeptides still present. Pre- and propeptides may be but are not limited to intracellular localization signals.

The term “signal peptide” refers to an amino terminal polypeptide preceding the secreted mature protein. The signal peptide is cleaved from and is therefore not present in the mature protein. Signal peptides have the function of directing and translocating secreted proteins across cell membranes. Signal peptide is also referred to as signal protein.

A “signal sequence” is included at the beginning of the coding sequence of a protein to be expressed on the surface of a cell. This sequence encodes a signal peptide, N-terminal to the mature polypeptide, that directs the host cell to translocate the polypeptide. The term “translocation signal sequence” is used herein to refer to this sort of signal sequence. Translocation signal sequences can be found associated with a variety of proteins native to eukaryotes and prokaryotes, and are often functional in both types of organisms.

The term “homology” refers to the percent of identity between two polynucleotide or two polypeptide moieties. The correspondence between the sequence from one moiety to another can be determined by techniques known to the art. For example, homology can be determined by a direct comparison of the sequence information between two polypeptide molecules by aligning the sequence information and using readily available computer programs. Alternatively, homology can be determined by hybridization of polynucleotides under conditions that form stable duplexes between homologous regions, followed by digestion with single-stranded-specific nuclease(s) and size determination of the digested fragments.

As used herein, the term “homologous” in all its grammatical forms and spelling variations refers to the relationship between proteins that possess a “common evolutionary origin,” including proteins from superfamilies (e.g., the immunoglobulin superfamily) and homologous proteins from different species (e.g., myosin light chain, etc.) (Reeck et al., 1987, Cell 50: 667.). Such proteins (and their encoding genes) have sequence homology, as reflected by their high degree of sequence similarity. However, in common usage and in the instant application, the term “homologous,” when modified with an adverb such as “highly,” may refer to sequence similarity and not a common evolutionary origin.

Accordingly, the term “sequence similarity” in all its grammatical forms refers to the degree of identity or correspondence between nucleic acid or amino acid sequences of proteins that may or may not share a common evolutionary origin (see Reeck et al., 1987, Cell 50:667).

In a specific embodiment, two DNA sequences are “substantially homologous” or “substantially similar” when at least about 50% (preferably at least about 75%, and most preferably at least about 90 or 95%) of the nucleotides match over the defined length of the DNA sequences. Sequences that are substantially homologous can be identified by comparing the sequences using standard software available in sequence data banks, or in a Southern hybridization experiment under, for example, stringent conditions as defined for that particular system. Defining appropriate hybridization conditions is within the skill of the art. See, e.g., Sambrook et al., 1989, supra.

As used herein, “substantially similar” refers to nucleic acid fragments wherein changes in one or more nucleotide bases results in substitution of one or more amino acids, but do not affect the functional properties of the protein encoded by the DNA sequence. “Substantially similar” also refers to nucleic acid fragments wherein changes in one or more nucleotide bases does not affect the ability of the nucleic acid fragment to mediate alteration of gene expression by antisense or co-suppression technology. “Substantially similar” also refers to modifications of the nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention such as deletion or insertion of one or more nucleotide bases that do not substantially affect the functional properties of the resulting transcript. It is therefore understood that the invention encompasses more than the specific exemplary sequences. Each of the proposed modifications is well within the routine skill in the art, as is determination of retention of biological activity of the encoded products.

Moreover, the skilled artisan recognizes that substantially similar sequences encompassed by this invention are also defined by their ability to hybridize, under stringent conditions (0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS), with the sequences exemplified herein. Substantially similar nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention are those nucleic acid fragments whose DNA sequences are at least 70% identical to the DNA sequence of the nucleic acid fragments reported herein. Preferred substantially nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention are those nucleic acid fragments whose DNA sequences are at least 80% identical to the DNA sequence of the nucleic acid fragments reported herein. More preferred nucleic acid fragments are at least 90% identical to the DNA sequence of the nucleic acid fragments reported herein. Even more preferred are nucleic acid fragments that are at least 95% identical to the DNA sequence of the nucleic acid fragments reported herein.

Two amino acid sequences are “substantially homologous” or “substantially similar” when greater than about 40% of the amino acids are identical, or greater than 60% are similar (functionally identical). Preferably, the similar or homologous sequences are identified by alignment using, for example, the GCG (Genetics Computer Group, Program Manual for the GCG Package, Version 7, Madison, Wis.) pileup program.

The term “corresponding to” is used herein to refer to similar or homologous sequences, whether the exact position is identical or different from the molecule to which the similarity or homology is measured. A nucleic acid or amino acid sequence alignment may include spaces. Thus, the term “corresponding to” refers to the sequence similarity, and not the numbering of the amino acid residues or nucleotide bases.

A “substantial portion” of an amino acid or nucleotide sequence comprises enough of the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide or the nucleotide sequence of a gene to putatively identify that polypeptide or gene, either by manual evaluation of the sequence by one skilled in the art, or by computer-automated sequence comparison and identification using algorithms such as BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool; Altschul, S. F., et al., (1993) J. Mol. Biol. 215: 403-410; see also www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/). In general, a sequence of ten or more contiguous amino acids or thirty or more nucleotides is necessary in order to putatively identify a polypeptide or nucleic acid sequence as homologous to a known protein or gene. Moreover, with respect to nucleotide sequences, gene specific oligonucleotide probes comprising 20-30 contiguous nucleotides may be used in sequence-dependent methods of gene identification (e.g., Southern hybridization) and isolation (e.g., in situ hybridization of bacterial colonies or bacteriophage plaques). In addition, short oligonucleotides of 12-15 bases may be used as amplification primers in PCR in order to obtain a particular nucleic acid fragment comprising the primers. Accordingly, a “substantial portion” of a nucleotide sequence comprises enough of the sequence to specifically identify and/or isolate a nucleic acid fragment comprising the sequence.

The term “percent identity”, as known in the art, is a relationship between two or more polypeptide sequences or two or more polynucleotide sequences, as determined by comparing the sequences. In the art, “identity” also means the degree of sequence relatedness between polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences, as the case may be, as determined by the match between strings of such sequences. “Identity” and “similarity” can be readily calculated by known methods, including but not limited to those described in: Computational Molecular Biology (Lesk, A. M., ed.) Oxford University Press, New York (1988); Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects (Smith, D. W., ed.) Academic Press, New York (1993); Computer Analysis of sequence Data, Part I (Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds.) Humana Press, New Jersey (1994); Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology (von Heinje, G., ed.) Academic Press (1987); and Sequence Analysis Primer (Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds.) Stockton Press, New York (1991). Preferred methods to determine identity are designed to give the best match between the sequences tested. Methods to determine identity and similarity are codified in publicly available computer programs. Sequence alignments and percent identity calculations may be performed using the Megalign program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). Multiple alignment of the sequences may be performed using the Clustal method of alignment (Higgins and Sharp (1989) CABIOS. 5:151-153) with the default parameters (GAP PENALTY=10, GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10). Default parameters for pairwise alignments using the Clustal method may be selected: KTUPLE 1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5.

The term “sequence analysis software” refers to any computer algorithm or software program that is useful for the analysis of nucleotide or amino acid sequences. “Sequence analysis software” may be commercially available or independently developed. Typical sequence analysis software will include but is not limited to the GCG suite of programs (Wisconsin Package Version 9.0, Genetics Computer Group (GCG), Madison, Wis.), BLASTP, BLASTN, BLASTX (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215: 403-410 (1990), and DNASTAR (DNASTAR, Inc. 1228 S. Park St. Madison, Wis. 53715 USA). Within the context of this application it will be understood that where sequence analysis software is used for analysis, that the results of the analysis will be based on the “default values” of the program referenced, unless otherwise specified. As used herein “default values” will mean any set of values or parameters, which originally load with the software when first initialized.

“Synthetic genes” can be assembled from oligonucleotide building blocks that are chemically synthesized using procedures known to those skilled in the art. These building blocks are ligated and annealed to form gene segments that are then enzymatically assembled to construct the entire gene. “Chemically synthesized”, as related to a sequence of DNA, means that the component nucleotides were assembled in vitro. Manual chemical synthesis of DNA may be accomplished using well-established procedures, or automated chemical synthesis can be performed using one of a number of commercially available machines. Accordingly, the genes can be tailored for optimal gene expression based on optimization of nucleotide sequence to reflect the codon bias of the host cell. The skilled artisan appreciates the likelihood of successful gene expression if codon usage is biased towards those codons favored by the host. Determination of preferred codons can be based on a survey of genes derived from the host cell where sequence information is available.

As used herein, two or more individually operable gene regulation systems are said to be “orthogonal” when; a) modulation of each of the given systems by its respective ligand, at a chosen concentration, results in a measurable change in the magnitude of expression of the gene of that system, and b) the change is statistically significantly different than the change in expression of all other systems simultaneously operable in the cell, tissue, or organism, regardless of the simultaneity or sequentially of the actual modulation. Preferably, modulation of each individually operable gene regulation system effects a change in gene expression at least 2-fold greater than all other operable systems in the cell, tissue, or organism. More preferably, the change is at least 5-fold greater. Even more preferably, the change is at least 10-fold greater. Still more preferably, the change is at least 100 fold greater. Even still more preferably, the change is at least 500-fold greater. Ideally, modulation of each of the given systems by its respective ligand at a chosen concentration results in a measurable change in the magnitude of expression of the gene of that system and no measurable change in expression of all other systems operable in the cell, tissue, or organism. In such cases the multiple inducible gene regulation system is said to be “fully orthogonal”. The present invention is useful to search for orthogonal ligands and orthogonal receptor-based gene expression systems such as those described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/965,697, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Gene Expression Modulation System of the Invention

Applicants have identified herein amino acid residues that are involved in ligand binding to a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain that affect the ligand sensitivity and magnitude of induction in an ecdysone receptor-based inducible gene expression system. Applicants describe herein the construction of Group H nuclear receptors that comprise substitution mutations (referred to herein as “substitution mutants”) at these critical residues and the demonstration that these substitution mutant nuclear receptors are useful in methods of modulating gene expression. As presented herein, Applicants' novel substitution mutant nuclear receptors and their use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system provides an improved inducible gene expression system in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells in which ligand sensitivity and magnitude of transactivation may be selected as desired, depending upon the application.

Thus, the present invention relates to novel substitution mutant Group H nuclear receptor polynucleotides and polypeptides, a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system comprising such mutated Group H nuclear receptor polynucleotides and polypeptides, and methods of modulating the expression of a gene within a host cell using such a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system.

In particular, the present invention relates to a gene expression modulation system comprising at least one gene expression cassette that is capable of being expressed in a host cell comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation. Preferably, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is from an ecdysone receptor, a ubiquitous receptor, an orphan receptor 1, a NER-1, a steroid hormone nuclear receptor 1, a retinoid X receptor interacting protein-15, a liver X receptor β, a steroid hormone receptor like protein, a liver X receptor, a liver X receptor α, a farnesoid X receptor, a receptor interacting protein 14, and a farnesol receptor. More preferably, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is from an ecdysone receptor.

In a specific embodiment, the gene expression modulation system comprises a gene expression cassette comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain that recognizes a response element associated with a gene whose expression is to be modulated; and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation. The gene expression modulation system may further comprise a second gene expression cassette comprising: i) a response element recognized by the DNA-binding domain of the encoded polypeptide of the first gene expression cassette; ii) a promoter that is activated by the transactivation domain of the encoded polypeptide of the first gene expression cassette; and iii) a gene whose expression is to be modulated.

In another specific embodiment, the gene expression modulation system comprises a gene expression cassette comprising a) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain that recognizes a response element associated with a gene whose expression is to be modulated; and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, and b) a second nuclear receptor ligand binding domain selected from the group consisting of a vertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, an invertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, an ultraspiracle protein ligand binding domain, and a chimeric ligand binding domain comprising two polypeptide fragments, wherein the first polypeptide fragment is from a vertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, an invertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, or an ultraspiracle protein ligand binding domain, and the second polypeptide fragment is from a different vertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, invertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, or ultraspiracle protein ligand binding domain. The gene expression modulation system may further comprise a second gene expression cassette comprising: i) a response element recognized by the DNA-binding domain of the encoded polypeptide of the first gene expression cassette; ii) a promoter that is activated by the transactivation domain of the encoded polypeptide of the first gene expression cassette; and iii) a gene whose expression is to be modulated.

In another specific embodiment, the gene expression modulation system comprises a first gene expression cassette comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a first polypeptide comprising a DNA-binding domain that recognizes a response element associated with a gene whose expression is to be modulated and a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain, and a second gene expression cassette comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a second polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain and a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain, wherein one of the nuclear receptor ligand binding domains is a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation. In a preferred embodiment, the first polypeptide is substantially free of a transactivation domain and the second polypeptide is substantially free of a DNA binding domain. For purposes of the invention, “substantially free” means that the protein in question does not contain a sufficient sequence of the domain in question to provide activation or binding activity. The gene expression modulation system may further comprise a third gene expression cassette comprising: i) a response element recognized by the DNA-binding domain of the first polypeptide of the first gene expression cassette; ii) a promoter that is activated by the transactivation domain of the second polypeptide of the second gene expression cassette; and iii) a gene whose expression is to be modulated.

Wherein when only one nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is a Group H ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, the other nuclear receptor ligand binding domain may be from any other nuclear receptor that forms a dimer with the Group H ligand binding domain comprising the substitution mutation. For example, when the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, the other nuclear receptor ligand binding domain (“partner”) may be from an ecdysone receptor, a vertebrate retinoid X receptor (RXR), an invertebrate RXR, an ultraspiracle protein (USP), or a chimeric nuclear receptor comprising at least two different nuclear receptor ligand binding domain polypeptide fragments selected from the group consisting of a vertebrate RXR, an invertebrate RXR, and a RXR (see applications PCT/US01/09050, U.S. 60/294,814, and U.S. 60/294,819, incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). The “partner” nuclear receptor ligand binding domain may further comprise a truncation mutation, a deletion mutation, a substitution mutation, or another modification.

Preferably, the vertebrate RXR ligand binding domain is from a human Homo sapiens, mouse Mus musculus, rat Rattus norvegicus, chicken Gallus gallus, pig Sus scrofa domestica, frog Xenopus laevis, zebrafish Danio rerio, tunicate Polyandrocarpa misakiensis, or jellyfish Tripedalia cysophora RXR.

Preferably, the invertebrate RXR ligand binding domain is from a locust Locusta migratoria RXR polypeptide (“LmRXR”), an ixodid tick Amblyomma americanum RXR homolog 1 (“AmaRXR1”), a ixodid tick Amblyomma americanum RXR homolog 2 (“AmaRXR2”), a fiddler crab Celuca pugilator RXR homolog (“CpRXR”), a beetle Tenebrio molitor RXR homolog (“TmRXR”), a honeybee Apis mellifera RXR homolog (“AmRXR”), an aphid Myzus persicae RXR homolog (“MpRXR”), or a non-Dipteran/non-Lepidopteran RXR homolog.

Preferably, the chimeric RXR ligand binding domain comprises at least two polypeptide fragments selected from the group consisting of a vertebrate species RXR polypeptide fragment, an invertebrate species RXR polypeptide fragment, and a non-Dipteran/non-Lepidopteran invertebrate species RXR homolog polypeptide fragment. A chimeric RXR ligand binding domain for use in the present invention may comprise at least two different species RXR polypeptide fragments, or when the species is the same, the two or more polypeptide fragments may be from two or more different isoforms of the species RXR polypeptide fragment.

In a preferred embodiment, the chimeric RXR ligand binding domain comprises at least one vertebrate species RXR polypeptide fragment and one invertebrate species RXR polypeptide fragment.

In a more preferred embodiment, the chimeric RXR ligand binding domain comprises at least one vertebrate species RXR polypeptide fragment and one non-Dipteran/non-Lepidopteran invertebrate species RXR homolog polypeptide fragment.

In a specific embodiment, the gene whose expression is to be modulated is a homologous gene with respect to the host cell. In another specific embodiment, the gene whose expression is to be modulated is a heterologous gene with respect to the host cell.

The ligands for use in the present invention as described below, when combined with the ligand binding domain of the nuclear receptor(s), which in turn are bound to the response element linked to a gene, provide the means for external temporal regulation of expression of the gene. The binding mechanism or the order in which the various components of this invention bind to each other, that is, for example, ligand to ligand binding domain, DNA-binding domain to response element, transactivation domain to promoter, etc., is not critical.

In a specific example, binding of the ligand to the ligand binding domain of a Group H nuclear receptor and its nuclear receptor ligand binding domain partner enables expression or suppression of the gene. This mechanism does not exclude the potential for ligand binding to the Group H nuclear receptor (GHNR) or its partner, and the resulting formation of active homodimer complexes (e.g. GHNR+GHNR or partner+partner). Preferably, one or more of the receptor domains is varied producing a hybrid gene switch. Typically, one or more of the three domains, DBD, LBD, and transactivation domain, may be chosen from a source different than the source of the other domains so that the hybrid genes and the resulting hybrid proteins are optimized in the chosen host cell or organism for transactivating activity, complementary binding of the ligand, and recognition of a specific response element. In addition, the response element itself can be modified or substituted with response elements for other DNA binding protein domains such as the GAL-4 protein from yeast (see Sadowski, et al. (1988), Nature, 335: 563-564) or LexA protein from Escherichia coli (see Brent and Ptashne (1985), Cell, 43: 729-736), or synthetic response elements specific for targeted interactions with proteins designed, modified, and selected for such specific interactions (see, for example, Kim, et al. (1997), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 94:3 616-3620) to accommodate hybrid receptors. Another advantage of two-hybrid systems is that they allow choice of a promoter used to drive the gene expression according to a desired end result. Such double control can be particularly important in areas of gene therapy, especially when cytotoxic proteins are produced, because both the timing of expression as well as the cells wherein expression occurs can be controlled. When genes, operably linked to a suitable promoter, are introduced into the cells of the subject, expression of the exogenous genes is controlled by the presence of the system of this invention. Promoters may be constitutively or inducibly regulated or may be tissue-specific (that is, expressed only in a particular type of cells) or specific to certain developmental stages of the organism.

The ecdysone receptor is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and classified into subfamily 1, group H (referred to herein as “Group H nuclear receptors”). The members of each group share 40-60% amino acid identity in the E (ligand binding) domain (Laudet et al., A Unified Nomenclature System for the Nuclear Receptor Subfamily, 1999; Cell 97: 161-163). In addition to the ecdysone receptor, other members of this nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H include: ubiquitous receptor (UR), orphan receptor 1 (OR-1), steroid hormone nuclear receptor 1 (NER-1), retinoid X receptor interacting protein-15 (RIP-15), liver X receptor β (LXRβ), steroid hormone receptor like protein (RLD-1), liver X receptor (LXR), liver X receptor α (LXRα), farnesoid X receptor (FXR), receptor interacting protein 14 (RIP-14), and farnesol receptor (HRR-1).

Applicants have developed a CfEcR homology model and have used this homology model together with a published Chironomous tetans ecdysone receptor (“CtEcR”) homology model (Wurtz et al., 2000) to identify critical residues involved in binding to ecdysteroids and non-ecdysteroids. The synthetic non-ecdysteroids, diacylhydrazines, have been shown to bind lepidopteran EcRs with high affinity and induce precocious incomplete molt in these insects (Wing et al., 1988) and several of these compounds are currently marketed as insecticides. The ligand binding cavity or “pocket” of EcRs has evolved to fit the long backbone structures of ecdysteroids such as 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). The diacylhydrazines have a compact structure compared to ecdysteroids and occupy only the bottom part of the EcR binding pocket. This leaves a few critical residues at the top part of the binding pocket that make contact with ecdysteroids but not with non-ecdysteroids such as bisacylhydrazines. Applicants describe herein the construction of mutant ecdysone receptors comprising a substitution mutation at these binding pocket residues and have identified several classes of substitution mutant ecdysone receptors with modified ligand binding and transactivation characteristics.

Given the close relatedness of ecdysone receptor to other Group H nuclear receptors, Applicants' identified ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain substitution mutations are also expected to work when introduced into the analogous position of the ligand binding domains of other Group H nuclear receptors to modify their ligand binding or ligand sensitivity. One of skill in the art can identify analogous amino acid positions by sequence and function using routine methods in the art such as sequence analysis, analysis of the binding pocket through homology modeling and binding assays. Applicants' novel substitution mutated Group H nuclear receptor polynucleotides and polypeptides are useful in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene modulation system for various applications including gene therapy, expression of proteins of interest in host cells, production of transgenic organisms, and cell-based assays.

In particular, Applicants describe herein a novel gene expression modulation system comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation. This gene expression system may be a “single switch”-based gene expression system in which the transactivation domain, DNA-binding domain and ligand binding domain are on one encoded polypeptide. Alternatively, the gene expression modulation system may be a “dual switch”- or “two-hybrid”-based gene expression modulation system in which the transactivation domain and DNA-binding domain are located on two different encoded polypeptides. Applicants have demonstrated for the first time that a substitution mutated nuclear receptor can be used as a component of a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system to modify ligand binding activity and/or ligand specificity in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. As discussed herein, Applicants' findings are both unexpected and surprising.

An ecdysone receptor-based gene expression modulation system of the present invention may be either heterodimeric or homodimeric. A functional EcR complex generally refers to a heterodimeric protein complex consisting of two members of the steroid receptor family, an ecdysone receptor protein obtained from various insects, and an ultraspiracle (USP) protein or the vertebrate homolog of USP, retinoid X receptor protein (see Yao, et al. (1993) Nature 366: 476-479; Yao, et al., (1992) Cell 71: 63-72). However, the complex may also be a homodimer as detailed below. The functional ecdysteroid receptor complex may also include additional protein(s) such as immunophilins. Additional members of the steroid receptor family of proteins, known as transcriptional factors (such as DHR38 or betaFTZ-1), may also be ligand dependent or independent partners for EcR, USP, and/or RXR. Additionally, other cofactors may be required such as proteins generally known as coactivators (also termed adapters or mediators). These proteins do not bind sequence-specifically to DNA and are not involved in basal transcription. They may exert their effect on transcription activation through various mechanisms, including stimulation of DNA-binding of activators, by affecting chromatin structure, or by mediating activator-initiation complex interactions. Examples of such coactivators include RIP140, TIF1, RAP46/Bag-1, ARA70, SRC-1/NCoA-1, TIF2/GRIP/NCoA-2, ACTR/AIB1/RAC3/pCIP as well as the promiscuous coactivator C response element B binding protein, CBP/p300 (for review see Glass et al., Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 9: 222-232, 1997). Also, protein cofactors generally known as corepressors (also known as repressors, silencers, or silencing mediators) may be required to effectively inhibit transcriptional activation in the absence of ligand. These corepressors may interact with the unliganded ecdysone receptor to silence the activity at the response element. Current evidence suggests that the binding of ligand changes the conformation of the receptor, which results in release of the corepressor and recruitment of the above described coactivators, thereby abolishing their silencing activity. Examples of corepressors include N-CoR and SMRT (for review, see Horwitz et al. Mol Endocrinol. 10: 1167-1177, 1996). These cofactors may either be endogenous within the cell or organism, or may be added exogenously as transgenes to be expressed in either a regulated or unregulated fashion. Homodimer complexes of the ecdysone receptor protein, USP, or RXR may also be functional under some circumstances.

The ecdysone receptor complex typically includes proteins that are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily wherein all members are generally characterized by the presence of an amino-terminal transactivation domain, a DNA binding domain (“DBD”), and a ligand binding domain (“LBD”) separated from the DBD by a hinge region. As used herein, the term “DNA binding domain” comprises a minimal polypeptide sequence of a DNA binding protein, up to the entire length of a DNA binding protein, so long as the DNA binding domain functions to associate with a particular response element. Members of the nuclear receptor superfamily are also characterized by the presence of four or five domains: A/B, C, D, E, and in some members F (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,784 and Evans, Science 240:889-895 (1988)). The “A/B” domain corresponds to the transactivation domain, “C” corresponds to the DNA binding domain, “D” corresponds to the hinge region, and “E” corresponds to the ligand binding domain. Some members of the family may also have another transactivation domain on the carboxy-terminal side of the LBD corresponding to “F”.

The DBD is characterized by the presence of two cysteine zinc fingers between which are two amino acid motifs, the P-box and the D-box, which confer specificity for ecdysone response elements. These domains may be either native, modified, or chimeras of different domains of heterologous receptor proteins. The EcR receptor, like a subset of the steroid receptor family, also possesses less well-defined regions responsible for heterodimerization properties. Because the domains of nuclear receptors are modular in nature, the LBD, DBD, and transactivation domains may be interchanged.

Gene switch systems are known that incorporate components from the ecdysone receptor complex. However, in these known systems, whenever EcR is used it is associated with native or modified DNA binding domains and transactivation domains on the same molecule. USP or RXR are typically used as silent partners. Applicants have previously shown that when DNA binding domains and transactivation domains are on the same molecule the background activity in the absence of ligand is high and that such activity is dramatically reduced when DNA binding domains and transactivation domains are on different molecules, that is, on each of two partners of a heterodimeric or homodimeric complex (see PCT/US01/09050).

Gene Expression Cassettes of the Invention

The novel nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system of the invention comprises at least one gene expression cassette that is capable of being expressed in a host cell, wherein the gene expression cassette comprises a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation. Thus, Applicants' invention also provides novel gene expression cassettes for use in the gene expression system of the invention.

In a specific embodiment, the gene expression cassette that is capable of being expressed in a host cell comprises a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain, and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation; b) a polypeptide comprising a DNA-binding domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation; and c) a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention provides a gene expression cassette that is capable of being expressed in a host cell, wherein the gene expression cassette comprises a polynucleotide that encodes a hybrid polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a hybrid polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain, and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation; b) a hybrid polypeptide comprising a DNA-binding domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation; and c) a hybrid polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation. A hybrid polypeptide according to the invention comprises at least two polypeptide fragments, wherein each polypeptide fragment is from a different source, i.e., a different polypeptide, a different nuclear receptor, a different species, etc. The hybrid polypeptide according to the invention may comprise at least two polypeptide domains, wherein each polypeptide domain is from a different source.

In a specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is from an ecdysone receptor, a ubiquitous receptor, an orphan receptor 1, a NER-1, a steroid hormone nuclear receptor 1, a retinoid X receptor interacting protein-15, a liver X receptor β, a steroid hormone receptor like protein, a liver X receptor, a liver X receptor α, a farnesoid X receptor, a receptor interacting protein 14, and a farnesol receptor. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

Thus, the present invention also provides a gene expression cassette comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain, and an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation; b) a polypeptide comprising a DNA-binding domain and an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation; and c) a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain and an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation. Preferably, the gene expression cassette comprises a polynucleotide that encodes a hybrid polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a hybrid polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain, and an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation; b) a hybrid polypeptide comprising a DNA-binding domain and an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation; and c) a hybrid polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain and an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation; wherein the encoded hybrid polypeptide comprises at least two polypeptide fragments, wherein each polypeptide fragment is from a different source.

The ecdysone receptor (EcR) ligand binding domain (LBD) may be from an invertebrate EcR, preferably selected from the class Arthropod EcR. Preferably the EcR is selected from the group consisting of a Lepidopteran EcR, a Dipteran EcR, an Orthopteran EcR, a Homopteran EcR and a Hemipteran EcR. More preferably, the EcR ligand binding domain for use in the present invention is from a spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana EcR (“CfEcR”), a beetle Tenebrio molitor EcR (“TmEcR”), a Manduca sexta EcR (“MsEcR”), a Heliothies virescens EcR (“HvEcR”), a midge Chironomus tentans EcR (“CtEcR”), a silk moth Bombyx mori EcR (“BmEcR”), a squinting bush brown Bicyclus anynana EcR (“BanEcR”), a buckeye Junonia coenia EcR (“JcEcR”), a fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster EcR (“DmEcR”), a mosquito Aedes aegypti EcR (“AaEcR”), a blowfly Lucilia capitata (“LcEcR”), a blowfly Lucilia cuprina EcR (“LucEcR”), a blowfly Calliphora vicinia EcR (“CvEcR”), a Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata EcR (“CcEcR”), a locust Locusta migratoria EcR (“LmEcR”), an aphid Myzus persicae EcR (“MpEcR”), a fiddler crab Celuca pugilator EcR (“CpEcR”), an ixodid tick Amblyomma americanum EcR (“AmaEcR”), a whitefly Bamecia argentifoli EcR (“BaEcR”) or a leafhopper Nephotetix cincticeps EcR (“NcEcR”). More preferably, the LBD is from a CfEcR, a DmEcR, or an AmaEcR.

In a specific embodiment, the LBD is from a truncated EcR polypeptide. The EcR polypeptide truncation results in a deletion of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, or 265 amino acids. Preferably, the EcR polypeptide truncation results in a deletion of at least a partial polypeptide domain. More preferably, the EcR polypeptide truncation results in a deletion of at least an entire polypeptide domain. In a specific embodiment, the EcR polypeptide truncation results in a deletion of at least an A/B-domain, a C-domain, a D-domain, an F-domain, an A/B/C-domains, an A/B/1/2-C-domains, an A/B/C/D-domains, an A/B/C/D/F-domains, an A/B/F-domains, an A/B/C/F-domains, a partial E domain, or a partial F domain. A combination of several complete and/or partial domain deletions may also be performed.

In a specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) amino acid residue 48, 51, 52, 54, 92, 95, 96, 109, 110, 119, 120, 125, 128, 132, 219, 223, 234, or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) amino acid residues 96 and 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) amino acid residues 110 and 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) amino acid residues 52 and 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) amino acid residues 107, 110, and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or f) amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising codon mutations that results in substitution of amino acid residues 107 and 127 and insertion of amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) an asparagine, arginine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine or lysine residue at a position equivalent to analogous to amino acid residue 48 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a methionine, asparagines or leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 51 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a leucine, proline, methionine, arginine, tryptophan, glycine, glutamine or glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a tryptophan or threonine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) a leucine or glutamic acid at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 92 of SEQ ID NO: 1, f) a histidine, methionine or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 95 of SEQ ID NO: 1, g) a leucine, serine, glutamic acid or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1, h) a tryptophan, proline, leucine, methionine or asparagine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, i) a glutamic acid, tryptophan or asparagine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, j) a phenylalanine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1, k) a tryptophan or methionine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 120 of SEQ ID NO: 1, l) a glutamic acid, proline, leucine, cysteine, tryptophan, glycine, isoleucine, asparagine, serine, valine or arginine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1, m) a phenylalanine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, n) a methionine, asparagine, glutamic acid or valine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1, o) an alanine, lysine, tryptophan or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 219 of SEQ ID NO: 1, p) a lysine, arginine or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1, q) a methionine, arginine, tryptophan or isoleucine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 234 of SEQ ID NO: 1, r) a proline, glutamic acid, leucine, methionine or tyrosine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, s) a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a threonine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1, t) a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, u) a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a praline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, v) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or w) an isoleucine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a valine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising codon mutations that results in substitution of an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and insertion of a glycine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

In a specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation selected from the group consisting of F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48N, F48R, F48K, I51M, I51N, I51L, T52M, T52V, T52L, T52E, T52P, T52R, T52W, T52G, T52Q, M54W, M54T, M92L, M92E, R95H, R95M, R95W, V96L, V96W, V96S, V96E, F109W, F109P, F109L, F109M, F109N, A110E, A110N, A110W, N119F, Y120W, Y120M, M125P, M125R, M125E, M125L, M125C, M125W, M125G, M125I, M125N, M125S, M125V, V128F, L132M, L132N, L132V, L132E, M219K, M219W, M219Y, M219A, L223K, L223R, L223Y, L234M, L234I, L234R, L234W, W238P, W238E, W238Y, W238M, W238L, N119F/V96T, V128F/A110P, T52V/A110P, V107I/Y127E/T52V, and V107I/Y127E/A110P substitution mutation of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a codon mutation that results in substitution mutation V107I/Y127E of SEQ ID NO: 1, which further comprises insertion mutation G259 of SEQ ID NO: 1 (V107I/Y127E/G259).

In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain polypeptide comprising a substitution mutation encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes to a polynucleotide comprising a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation selected from the group consisting of F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48N, F48R, F48K, I51M, I51N, I51L, T52M, T52V, T52L, T52E, T52P, T52R, T52W, T52G, T52Q, M54W, M54T, M92L, M92E, R95H, R95M, R95W, V96L, V96W, V96S, V96E, F109W, F109P, F109L, F109M, F109N, A110E, A110N, A110W, N119F, Y120W, Y120M, M125P, M125R, M125E, M125L, M125C, M125W, M125G, M125I, M125N, M125S, M125V, V128F, L132M, L132N, L132V, L132E, M219K, M219W, M219Y, M219A, L223K, L223R, L223Y, L234M, L234I, L234R, L234W, W238P, W238E, W238Y, W238M, W238L, N119F/V96T, V128F/A110P, T52V/A110P, V107I/Y127E/T52V, and V107I/Y127E/A110P of SEQ ID NO: 1 under hybridization conditions comprising a hybridization step in less than 500 mM salt and at least 37 degrees Celsius, and a washing step in 2×SSPE at least 63 degrees Celsius. In a preferred embodiment, the hybridization conditions comprise less than 200 mM salt and at least 37 degrees Celsius for the hybridization step. In another preferred embodiment, the hybridization conditions comprise 2×SSPE and 63 degrees Celsius for both the hybridization and washing steps.

In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprises a substitution mutation at a position equivalent or analogous to a) amino acid residue 48, 51, 52, 54, 92, 95, 96, 109, 110, 119, 120, 125, 128, 132, 219, 223, 234, or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) amino acid residues 96 and 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) amino acid residues 110 and 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) amino acid residues 52 and 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) amino acid residues 107, 110, and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or f) amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprises substitution mutations that results in substitution mutation at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 107 and 127 and insertion of amino acid residue 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

Preferably, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprises a substitution of a) an asparagine, arginine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine or lysine residue at a position equivalent to analogous to amino acid residue 48 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a methionine, asparagine or leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 51 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a leucine, proline, methionine, arginine, tryptophan, glycine, glutamine or glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a tryptophan or threonine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) a leucine or glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 92 of SEQ ID NO: 1, f) a histidine, methionine or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 95 of SEQ ID NO: 1, g) a leucine, serine, glutamic acid or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1, h) a tryptophan, proline, leucine, methionine or asparagine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, i) a glutamic acid, tryptophan or asparagine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, j) a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1, k) a tryptophan or methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 120 of SEQ ID NO: 1, 1) a glutamic acid, proline, leucine, cysteine, tryptophan, glycine, isoleucine, asparagine, serine, valine or arginine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1, m) a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, n) a methionine, asparagine, glutamic acid or valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1, o) an alanine, lysine, tryptophan or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 219 of SEQ ID NO: 1, p) a lysine, arginine or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1, q) a methionine, arginine, tryptophan or isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 234 of SEQ ID NO: 1, r) a proline, glutamic acid, leucine, methionine or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, s) a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a threonine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1, t) a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, u) a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, v) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or w) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprises a substitution of an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and insertion of a glycine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain polypeptide comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation is selected from the group consisting of F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48N, F48R, F48K, I51M, I51N, I51L, T52M, T52V, T52L, T52E, T52P, T52R, T52W, T52G, T52Q, M54W, M54T, M92L, M92E, R95H, R95M, R95W, V96L, V96W, V96S, V96E, F109W, F109P, F109L, F109M, F109N, A110E, A110N, A110W, N119F, Y120W, Y120M, M125P, M125R, M125E, M125L, M125C, M125W, M125G, M125I, M125N, M125S, M125V, V128F, L132M, L132N, L132V, L132E, M219K, M219W, M219Y, M219A, L223K, L223R, L223Y, L234M, L234I, L234R, L234W, W238P, W238E, W238Y, W238M, W238L, N119F/V96T, T52V/A110P, V128F/A110P, V107I/Y127E/T52V, and V107I/Y127E/A110P substitution mutation of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substititution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain polypeptide comprising substitution mutation V107I/Y127E of SEQ ID NO: 1, which further comprises insertion mutation G259 of SEQ ID NO: 1 (V107I/Y127E/G259).

The DNA binding domain can be any DNA binding domain with a known response element, including synthetic and chimeric DNA binding domains, or analogs, combinations, or modifications thereof. Preferably, the DBD is a GAL4 DBD, a LexA DBD, a transcription factor DBD, a Group H nuclear receptor member DBD, a steroid/thyroid hormone nuclear receptor superfamily member DBD, or a bacterial LacZ DBD. More preferably, the DBD is an EcR DBD [SEQ ID NO: 4 (polynucleotide) or SEQ ID NO: 5 (polypeptide)], a GAL4 DBD [SEQ ID NO: 6 (polynucleotide) or SEQ ID NO: 7 (polypeptide)], or a LexA DBD [(SEQ ID NO: 8 (polynucleotide) or SEQ ID NO: 9 (polypeptide)].

The transactivation domain (abbreviated “AD” or “TA”) may be any Group H nuclear receptor member AD, steroid/thyroid hormone nuclear receptor AD, synthetic or chimeric AD, polyglutamine AD, basic or acidic amino acid AD, a VP16 AD, a GAL4 AD, an NF-κB AD, a BP64 AD, a B42 acidic activation domain (B42AD), a p65 transactivation domain (p65AD), or an analog, combination, or modification thereof. In a specific embodiment, the AD is a synthetic or chimeric AD, or is obtained from an EcR, a glucocorticoid receptor, VP16, GAL4, NF-kB, or B42 acidic activation domain AD. Preferably, the AD is an EcR AD [SEQ ID NO: 10 (polynucleotide) or SEQ ID NO: 11 (polypeptide)], a VP16 AD [SEQ ID NO: 12 (polynucleotide) or SEQ ID NO: 13 (polypeptide)], a B42 AD [SEQ ID NO: 14 (polynucleotide) or SEQ ID NO: 15 (polypeptide)], or a p65 AD [SEQ ID NO: 16 (polynucleotide) or SEQ ID NO: 17 (polypeptide)].

In a specific embodiment, the gene expression cassette encodes a hybrid polypeptide comprising either a) a DNA-binding domain encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, or SEQ ID NO: 8, or b) a transactivation domain encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 14, or SEQ ID NO: 16; and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation encoded by a polynucleotide according to the invention. Preferably, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation encoded by a polynucleotide according to the invention.

In another specific embodiment, the gene expression cassette encodes a hybrid polypeptide comprising either a) a DNA-binding domain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, or SEQ ID NO: 9, or b) a transactivation domain comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, EQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 15, or SEQ ID NO: 17; and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention. Preferably, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention.

The present invention also provides a gene expression cassette comprising: i) a response element comprising a domain recognized by a polypeptide comprising a DNA binding domain; ii) a promoter that is activated by a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain; and iii) a gene whose expression is to be modulated.

The response element (“RE”) may be any response element with a known DNA binding domain, or an analog, combination, or modification thereof. A single RE may be employed or multiple REs, either multiple copies of the same RE or two or more different REs, may be used in the present invention. In a specific embodiment, the RE is an RE from GAL4 (“GAL4 RE”), LexA, a Group H nuclear receptor RE, a steroid/thyroid hormone nuclear receptor RE, or a synthetic RE that recognizes a synthetic DNA binding domain. Preferably, the RE is an ecdysone response element (EcRE) comprising a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18, a GAL4RE comprising a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 19, or a LexA RE (operon, “op”) comprising a polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20 (“2XLexAopRE”).

A steroid/thyroid hormone nuclear receptor DNA binding domain, activation domain or response element according to the invention may be obtained from a steroid/thyroid hormone nuclear receptor selected from the group consisting of thyroid hormone receptor α (TRα), thyroid receptor 1 (c-erbA-1), thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ), retinoic acid receptor α (RARα), retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ, HAP), retinoic acid receptor γ (RARγ), retinoic acid recetor gamma-like (RARD), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β (PPARβ), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β (PPARβ, NUC-1), peroxisome proliferator-activator related receptor (FFAR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), orphan receptor encoded by non-encoding strand of thyroid hormone receptor α (REVERBα), v-erb A related receptor (EAR-1), v-erb related receptor (EAR-1A), γ), orphan receptor encoded by non-encoding strand of thyroid hormone receptor β (REVERBβ), v-erb related receptor (EAR-1β), orphan nuclear recptor BD73 (BD73), rev-erbA-related receptor (RVR), zinc finger protein 126 (HZF2), ecdysone-inducible protein E75 (E75), ecdysone-inducible protein E78 (E78), Drosophila receptor 78 (DR-78), retinoid-related orphan receptor α (RORα), retinoid Z receptor α (RZRα), retinoid related orphan receptor β (RORβ), retinoid Z receptor β (RZRβ), retinoid-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ), retinoid Z receptor γ (RZRγ), retinoid-related orphan receptor (TOR), hormone receptor 3 (HR-3), Drosophila hormone receptor 3 (DHR-3), Manduca hormone receptor (MHR-3), Galleria hormone receptor 3 (GHR-3), C. elegans nuclear receptor 3 (CNR-3), Choristoneura hormone receptor 3 (CHR-3), C. elegans nuclear receptor 14 (CNR-14), ecdysone receptor (ECR), ubiquitous receptor (UR), orphan nuclear receptor (OR-1), NER-1, receptor-interacting protein 15 (RIP-15), liver X receptor β (LXRβ), steroid hormone receptor like protein (RLD-1), liver X receptor (LXR), liver X receptor α (LXRα), farnesoid X receptor (FXR), receptor-interacting protein 14 (RIP-14), HRR-1, vitamin D receptor (VDR), orphan nuclear receptor (ONR-1), pregnane X receptor (PXR), steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR), benzoate X receptor (BXR), nuclear receptor (MB-67), constitutive androstane receptor 1 (CAR-1), constitutive androstane receptor α (CARα), constitutive androstane receptor 2 (CAR-2), constitutive androstane receptor β (CARβ), Drosophila hormone receptor 96 (DHR-96), nuclear hormone receptor 1 (NHR-1), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF-4), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4G (HNF-4G), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4B (HNF-4B), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4D (HNF-4D, DHNF-4), retinoid X receptor α (RXRα), retinoid X receptor β (RXRβ), H-2 region II binding protein (H-2RIIBP), nuclear receptor co-regulator-1 (RCoR-1), retinoid X receptor γ (RXRγ), Ultraspiracle (USP), 2C1 nuclear receptor, chorion factor 1 (CF-1), testicular receptor 2 (TR-2), testicular receptor 2-11 (TR2-11), testicular receptor 4 (TR4), TAK-1, Drosophila hormone receptor (DHR78), Tailless (TLL), tailless homolog (TLX), XTLL, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor I (COUP-TFI), chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor A (COUP-TFA), EAR-3, SVP-44, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II (COUP-TFII), chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor B (COUP-TFB), ARP-1, SVP-40, SVP, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor III (COUP-TFIII), chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor G (COUP-TFG), SVP-46, EAR-2, estrogen receptor α (ERα), estrogen receptor β (ERβ), estrogen related receptor 1 (ERR1), estrogen related receptor α (ERRα), estrogen related receptor 2 (ERR2), estrogen related receptor β (ERRβ), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), progesterone receptor (PR), androgen receptor (AR), nerve growth factor induced gene B (NGFI-B), nuclear receptor similar to Nur-77 (TRS), N10, Orphan receptor (NUR-77), Human early response gene (NAK-1), Nurr related factor 1 (NURR-1), a human immediate-early response gene (NOT), regenerating liver nuclear receptor 1 (RNR-1), hematopoietic zinc finger 3 (HZF-3), Nur rekated protein-1 (TINOR), Nuclear orphan receptor 1 (NOR-1), NOR1 related receptor (MINOR), Drosophila hormone receptor 38 (DHR-38), C. elegans nuclear receptor 8 (CNR-8), C48D5, steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1), endozepine-like peptide (ELP), fushi tarazu factor 1 (FTZ-F1), adrenal 4 binding protein (AD4BP), liver receptor homolog (LRH-1), Ftz-F1-related orphan receptor A (xFFrA), Ftz-F1-related orphan receptor B (xFFrB), nuclear receptor related to LRH-1 (FFLR), nuclear receptor related to LRH-1 (PHR), fetoprotein transcriptin factor (FTF), germ cell nuclear factor (GCNFM), retinoid receptor-related testis-associated receptor (RTR), knirps (KNI), knirps related (KNRL), Embryonic gonad (EGON), Drosophila gene for ligand dependent nuclear receptor (EAGLE), nuclear receptor similar to trithorax (ODR7), Trithorax, dosage sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenita critical region chromosome X gene (DAX-1), adrenal hypoplasia congenita and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (AHCH), and short heterodimer partner (SHP).

For purposes of this invention, nuclear receptors and Group H nuclear receptors also include synthetic and chimeric nuclear receptors and Group H nuclear receptors and their homologs.

Genes of interest for use in Applicants' gene expression cassettes may be endogenous genes or heterologous genes. Nucleic acid or amino acid sequence information for a desired gene or protein can be located in one of many public access databases, for example, GENBANK, EMBL, Swiss-Prot, and PIR, or in many biology-related journal publications. Thus, those skilled in the art have access to nucleic acid sequence information for virtually all known genes. Such information can then be used to construct the desired constructs for the insertion of the gene of interest within the gene expression cassettes used in Applicants' methods described herein.

Examples of genes of interest for use in Applicants' gene expression cassettes include, but are not limited to: genes encoding therapeutically desirable polypeptides or products that may be used to treat a condition, a disease, a disorder, a dysfunction, a genetic defect, such as monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, proteases, cytokines, interferons, insulin, erthropoietin, clotting factors, other blood factors or components, viral vectors for gene therapy, virus for vaccines, targets for drug discovery, functional genomics, and proteomics analyses and applications, and the like.

Polynucleotides of the Invention

The novel nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system of the invention comprises at least one gene expression cassette comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation. These gene expression cassettes, the polynucleotides they comprise, and the polypeptides they encode are useful as components of a nuclear receptor-based gene expression system to modulate the expression of a gene within a host cell.

Thus, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation.

In a specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a codon mutation that results in a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to a) amino acid residue 48, 51, 52, 54, 92, 95, 96, 109, 110, 119, 120, 125, 128, 132, 219, 223, 234, or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) amino acid residues 96 and 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) amino acid residues 110 and 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) amino acid residues 52 and 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) amino acid residues 107, 110, and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or f) amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising codon mutations that results in substitution of amino acid residues at positions equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 107 and 127, and insertion of amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) an asparagine, arginine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine or lysine residue at a position equivalent to analogous to amino acid residue 48 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a methionine, asparagines or leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 51 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a leucine, proline, methionine, arginine, tryptophan, glycine, glutamine or glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a tryptophan or threonine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) a leucine or glutamic acid at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 92 of SEQ ID NO: 1, f) a histidine, methionine or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 95 of SEQ ID NO: 1, g) a leucine, serine, glutamic acid or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1, h) a tryptophan, proline, leucine, methionine or asparagine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, i) a glutamic acid, tryptophan or asparagine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, j) a phenylalanine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1, k) a tryptophan or methionine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 120 of SEQ ID NO: 1, l) a glutamic acid, proline, leucine, cysteine, tryptophan, glycine, isoleucine, asparagine, serine, valine or arginine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1, m) a phenylalanine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, n) a methionine, asparagine, glutamic acid or valine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1, o) an alanine, lysine, tryptophan or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 219 of SEQ ID NO: 1, p) a lysine, arginine or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1, q) a methionine, arginine, tryptophan or isoleucine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 234 of SEQ ID NO: 1, r) a proline, glutamic acid, leucine, methionine or tyrosine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, s) a phenylalanine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a threonine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1, t) a proline at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a phenylalanine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, u) a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a proline residue residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, v) an isoleucine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a proline at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or w) an isoleucine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a valine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising codon mutations that results in substitution of an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and insertion of a glycine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation selected from the group consisting of F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48N, F48R, F48K, I51M, I51N, I51L, T52M, T52V, T52L, T52E, T52P, T52R, T52W, T52G, T52Q, M54W, M54T, M92L, M92E, R95H, R95M, R95W, V96L, V96W, V96S, V96E, F109W, F109P, F109L, F109M, F109N, A110E, A110N, A110W, N119F, Y120W, Y120M, M125P, M125R, M125E, M125L, M125C, M125W, M125G, M125I, M125N, M125S, M125V, V128F, L132M, L132N, L132V, L132E, M219K, M219W, M219Y, M219A, L223K, L223R, L223Y, L234M, L234I, L234R, L234W, W238P, W238E, W238Y, W238M, W238L, N119F/V96T, V128F/A110P, T52V/A110P, V107I/Y127E/T52V, and V107I/Y127E/A110P substitution mutation of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substititution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a codon mutation that results in substitution mutation V107I/Y127E of SEQ ID NO: 1, which further comprises insertion mutation G259 of SEQ ID NO: 1 (V107I/Y127E/G259).

In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes to a polynucleotide comprising a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation selected from the group consisting of F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48N, F48R, F48K, I51M, I51N, I51L, T52M, T52V, T52L, T52E, T52P, T52R, T52W, T52G, T52Q, M54W, M54T, M92L, M92E, R95H, R95M, R95W, V96L, V96W, V96S, V96E, F109W, F109P, F109L, F109M, F109N, A110E, A110N, A110W, N119F, Y120W, Y120M, M125P, M125R, M125E, M125L, M125C, M125W, M125G, M125I, M125N, M125S, M125V, V128F, L132M, L132N, L132V, L132E, M219K, M219W, M219Y, M219A, L223K, L223R, L223Y, L234M, L234I, L234R, L234W, W238P, W238E, W238Y, W238M, W238L, N119F/V96T, V128F/A110P, T52V/A110P, V107I/Y127E/T52V, and V107I/Y127E/A110P of SEQ ID NO: 1 under hybridization conditions comprising a hybridization step in less than 500 mM salt and at least 37 degrees Celsius, and a washing step in 2×SSPE at least 63 degrees Celsius. In a preferred embodiment, the hybridization conditions comprise less than 200 mM salt and at least 37 degrees Celsius for the hybridization step. In another preferred embodiment, the hybridization conditions comprise 2×SSPE and 63 degrees Celsius for both the hybridization and washing steps.

The present invention also provides an isolated polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain, and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention; b) a polypeptide comprising a DNA-binding domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention; and c) a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention.

In a specific embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide encodes a hybrid polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) a hybrid polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain, and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention; b) a hybrid polypeptide comprising a DNA-binding domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention; and c) a hybrid polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation affects ligand binding activity or ligand sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation reduces non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine binding activity or non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 48, 51, 52, 54, 92, 95, 96, 109, 120, 125, 219, 223, 234 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) an asparagine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 48 or 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 51, 92, 96 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52, 92, 96, 125 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 54, 95, 96, 120, 219 or 234 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) a methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 51, 52, 120, 234 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, f) an alanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 219 of SEQ ID NO: 1, g) a lysine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 48, 219 or 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1, h) an isoleucine, arginine or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 234 of SEQ ID NO: 1, i) a tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 219 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, j) a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1, k) a glycine or glutamine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or l) an arginine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 or 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation of F48N, F48K, I51L, I51M, T52E, T52M, T52R, T52G, T52Q, M54W, M92L, M92E, R95W, V96W, V96E, V96L, F109N, Y120M, Y120W, M125E, M125V, M219A, M219K, M219W, M219Y, L223K, L223R, L234M, L234I, L234R, L234W, W238E, W238Y, W238L or W238M of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In addition, the present invention also relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation enhances ligand binding activity or ligand sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation generally enhances ecdysteroid binding activity or ecdysteroid sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to a) amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) amino acid residues 96 and 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) a serine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) a threonine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation of V96T or N119F/V96T of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation generally enhances non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine binding activity or non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to a) amino acid residue 48, 52, 54, 109, 110, 125, 132 or 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) amino acid residues 52 and 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) a tyrosine, tryptophan, arginine or leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 48 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a threonine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) a proline, glutamic acid or asparagine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, f) an isoleucine, asparagine or glycine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1, g) a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1, h) a tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or i) a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a proline residue residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation of F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48R, T52L, M54T, F109M, A110P, A110E, A110N, M125I, M125G, M125N, L132E, L223Y or T52V/A110P of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation generally enhances non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine and non-ecdysteroid tetrahydroquinoline binding activity or non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine and non-ecdysteroid tetrahydroquinoline sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) amino acid residues at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) amino acid residues 107, 110 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation of V107I/Y127E or V107I/Y127E/A110P of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation generally enhances both ecdysteroid binding activity or ecdysteroid sensitivity and non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine binding activity or non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine sensitivity of the Group H ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to a) amino acid residue 109, 132 or W238P of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or c) amino acid residues 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and insertion of amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a valine or methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1 d) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or e) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and insertion of a glycine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation of F109W, L132M, L132V, W238P, V107I/Y127E/T52V or V107I/Y127E/259G of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in substitution mutation V107I/Y127E of SEQ ID NO: 1 further comprising insertion mutation G259 of SEQ ID NO: 1 (V107I/Y127E/G259).

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation generally enhances non-ecdysteroid tetrahydroquinoline binding activity or non-ecdysteroid tetrahydroquinoline sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 110 or 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) amino acid residues at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 110 and 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) a tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or c) a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation A110W, V128F or V128F/A110P of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation differentially responds to non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine ligands. Preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 52, 95, 109, 125 or 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a histidine or methionine residue residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 95 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a leucine, tryptophan, arginine, cysteine or proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or e) a methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation T52P, T52W, R95H, R95M, F109L, M125L, M125W, M125R, M125C, M125P or L132M of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation differentially responds to non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine ligands. More preferably the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) a lysine or arginine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 48 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a glycine, glutamine, methionine, arginine or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) an isoleucine, glycine, asparagine, serine or valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) a lysine, tryptophan or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 219 of SEQ ID NO: 1, f) an arginine or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or g) leucine or methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably the isolated polynucleotide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation F48K, F48R, T52G, T52Q, T52M, T52R, T52W, M125I, M125G, M125N, M125S, M125V, L132E, M219K, M219W, M219Y, L223R, L223Y, W238L or W238M of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In addition, the present invention relates to an expression vector comprising a polynucleotide according the invention, operatively linked to a transcription regulatory element. Preferably, the polynucleotide encoding a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is operatively linked with an expression control sequence permitting expression of the nuclear receptor ligand binding domain in an expression competent host cell. The expression control sequence may comprise a promoter that is functional in the host cell in which expression is desired. The vector may be a plasmid DNA molecule or a viral vector. Preferred viral vectors include retrovirus, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, herpes virus, and vaccinia virus. The invention further relates to a replication defective recombinant virus comprising in its genome, the polynucleotide encoding a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation as described above. Thus, the present invention also relates to an isolated host cell comprising such an expression vector, wherein the transcription regulatory element is operative in the host cell.

The present invention also relates to an isolated polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide according to the invention.

Polypeptides of the Invention

The novel nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system of the invention comprises at least one gene expression cassette comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation. Thus, the present invention also provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention.

In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprises a substitution mutation at a position equivalent or analogous to a) amino acid residue 48, 51, 52, 54, 92, 95, 96, 109, 110, 119, 120, 125, 128, 132, 219, 223, 234, or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) amino acid residues 96 and 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) amino acid residues 110 and 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) amino acid residues 52 and 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) amino acid residues 107, 110, and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or f) amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprises substitution mutation at positions equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 107 and 127, and insertion of amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

Preferably, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprises a substitution of a) an asparagine, arginine, tyrosine, tryptophan, leucine or lysine residue at a position equivalent to analogous to amino acid residue 48 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a methionine, asparagines or leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 51 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a leucine, proline, methionine, arginine, tryptophan, glycine, glutamine or glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a tryptophan or threonine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) a leucine or glutamic acid at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 92 of SEQ ID NO: 1, f) a histidine, methionine or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 95 of SEQ ID NO: 1, g) a leucine, serine, glutamic acid or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1, h) a tryptophan, proline, leucine, methionine or asparagine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, i) a glutamic acid, tryptophan or asparagine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, j) a phenylalanine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1, k) a tryptophan or methionine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 120 of SEQ ID NO: 1, l) a glutamic acid, proline, leucine, cysteine, tryptophan, glycine, isoleucine, asparagine, serine, valine or arginine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1, m) a phenylalanine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, n) a methionine, asparagine, glutamic acid or valine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1, o) an alanine, lysine, tryptophan or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 219 of SEQ ID NO: 1, p) a lysine, arginine or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1, q) a methionine, arginine, tryptophan or isoleucine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 234 of SEQ ID NO: 1, r) a proline, glutamic acid, leucine, methionine or tyrosine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, s) a phenylalanine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a threonine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1, t) a proline at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a phenylalanine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, u) a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a proline residue residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, v) an isoleucine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a proline at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or w) an isoleucine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a valine at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprises a substitution of an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and insertion of a glycine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

In another specific embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain polypeptide comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation is selected from the group consisting of F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48N, F48R, F48K, I51M, I51N, I51L, T52M, T52V, T52L, T52E, T52P, T52R, T52W, T52G, T52Q, M54W, M54T, M92L, M92E, R95H, R95M, R95W, V96L, V96W, V96S, V96E, F109W, F109P, F109L, F109M, F109N, A110E, A110N, A110W, N119F, Y120W, Y120M, M125P, M125R, M125E, M125L, M125C, M125W, M125G, M125I, M125N, M125S, M125V, V128F, L132M, L132N, L132V, L132E, M219K, M219W, M219Y, M219A, L223K, L223R, L223Y, L234M, L234I, L234R, L234W, W238P, W238E, W238Y, W238M, W238L, N119F/V96T, V128F/A110P, T52V/A110P, V107I/Y127E/T52V, and V107I/Y127E/A110P substitution mutation of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substititution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain polypeptide comprising a substitution mutation of V107I/Y127E of SEQ ID NO: 1, which further comprises insertion mutation G259 of SEQ ID NO: 1 (V107I/Y127E/G259).

The present invention also provides an isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) an isolated polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain, and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention; b) an isolated polypeptide comprising a DNA-binding domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention; and c) an isolated polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

The present invention also provides an isolated hybrid polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a) an isolated hybrid polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain, and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention; b) an isolated hybrid polypeptide comprising a DNA-binding domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention; and c) an isolated hybrid polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain and a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is from an ecdysone receptor.

The present invention also provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation that affects ligand binding activity or ligand sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain.

In particular, the present invention relates to an isolated Group H nuclear receptor polypeptide comprising a ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation that reduces ligand binding activity or ligand sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation that reduces non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine binding activity or non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 48, 51, 52, 54, 92, 95, 96, 109, 120, 125, 219, 223, 234 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) an asparagine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 48 or 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 51, 92, 96 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52, 92, 96, 125 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 54, 95, 96, 120 or 219 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) a methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 51, 52, 120, 234 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, f) an alanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 219 of SEQ ID NO: 1, g) a lysine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 48, 219 or 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1, h) an isoleucine, arginine or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 234 of SEQ ID NO: 1, i) a tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 219 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, j) an arginine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 or 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1, k) a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or l) a glycine or glutamine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation of F48N, I51L, I51M, T52E, T52M, T52R, T52G, T52Q, M54W, M92L, M92E, R95W, V96W, V96E, V96L, F109N, Y120M, Y120W, M125E, M125V, M219A, M219K, M219W, M219Y, L223K, L223R, L234M, L234I, L234W, L234R, W238E, W238L, W238M or W238Y of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In addition, the present invention also relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation that enhances ligand binding activity or ligand sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation that generally enhances ecdysteroid binding activity or ecdysteroid sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to a) amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) amino acid residues 96 and 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) a serine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) a threonine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation of V96T or N119F/V96T of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation that generally enhances diacylhydrazine binding activity or diacylhydrazine sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to a) amino acid residue 48, 52, 54, 109, 110, 125, 132 or 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) amino acid residues 52 and 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) a tyrosine, tryptophan, arginine or leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 48 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a threonine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, f) a proline, glutamic acid or asparagine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, g) an isoleucine, glycine or asparagine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1, h) a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a proline residue residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, i) a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or j) a tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation of F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48R, T52L, M54T, F109M, A110P, A110E, A110N, M125I, M125G, M125N, L132E, L223Y or T52V/A110P of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation that generally enhances both ecdysteroid binding activity or ecdysteroid sensitivity and non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine binding activity or non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine sensitivity of the Group H ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to a) amino acid residue 109, 132 or W238P of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or c) amino acid residues 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1, and insertion of amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a valine or methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or e) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and insertion of a glycine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid 259 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation of F109W, L132M, L132V, W238P or V107I/Y127E/T52V of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in substitution mutation V107I/Y127E of SEQ ID NO: 1, which further comprises insertion mutation G259 of SEQ ID NO: 1 (V107I/Y127E/G259).

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation generally enhances diacylhydrazine and tetrahydroquinoline binding activity or diacylhydrazine and tetrahydroquinoline sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a substitution mutation that results in a substitution of a) amino acid residues at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) amino acid residues 107, 110 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) an isoleucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 107 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation of V107I/Y127E or V107I/Y127E/A110P of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation generally enhances non-ecdysteroid tetrahydroquinoline binding activity or non-ecdysteroid tetrahydroquinoline sensitivity of the Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. Preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 110 or 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or b) amino acid residues at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 110 and 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) a tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or c) a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a phenylalanine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation A110W, V128F or V128F/A110P of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation differentially responds to non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine ligands. Preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of an amino acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residues 52, 95, 109, 125 or 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1. More preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) a proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a histidine or methionine residue residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 95 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) a leucine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a leucine, tryptophan, arginine, cysteine or proline residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or e) a methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably, the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation T52P, R95H, R95M, F109L, M125L, M125W, M125R, M125C, M125P or L132M of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide comprising a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the substitution mutation differentially responds to non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine ligands. More preferably the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution of a) a lysine or arginine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 48 of SEQ ID NO: 1, b) a glycine, glutamine, methionine, arginine or tryptophan residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 52 of SEQ ID NO: 1, c) an isoleucine, glycine, asparagines, serine or valine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 125 of SEQ ID NO: 1, d) a glutamic acid residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1, e) a lysine, tryptophan or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 219 of SEQ ID NO: 1, f) an arginine or tyrosine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or g) leucine or methionine residue at a position equivalent or analogous to amino acid residue 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1. Even more preferably the isolated polypeptide comprises a codon mutation that results in a substitution mutation F48K, F48R, T52G, T52Q, T52M, T52R, T52W, M125I, M125G, M125N, M125S, M125V, L132E, M219K, M219W, M219Y, L223R, L223Y, W238L or W238M of SEQ ID NO: 1.

The present invention also relates to compositions comprising an isolated polypeptide according to the invention.

Method of Modulating Gene Expression of the Invention

Applicants' invention also relates to methods of modulating gene expression in a host cell using a gene expression modulation system according to the invention. Specifically, Applicants' invention provides a method of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell comprising the steps of: a) introducing into the host cell a gene expression modulation system according to the invention; and b) introducing into the host cell a ligand; wherein the gene to be modulated is a component of a gene expression cassette comprising: i) a response element comprising a domain recognized by the DNA binding domain of the gene expression system; ii) a promoter that is activated by the transactivation domain of the gene expression system; and iii) a gene whose expression is to be modulated, whereby upon introduction of the ligand into the host cell, expression of the gene is modulated.

The invention also provides a method of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell comprising the steps of: a) introducing into the host cell a gene expression modulation system according to the invention; b) introducing into the host cell a gene expression cassette according to the invention, wherein the gene expression cassette comprises i) a response element comprising a domain recognized by the DNA binding domain from the gene expression system; ii) a promoter that is activated by the transactivation domain of the gene expression system; and iii) a gene whose expression is to be modulated; and c) introducing into the host cell a ligand; whereby upon introduction of the ligand into the host cell, expression of the gene is modulated.

Applicants' invention also provides a method of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell comprising a gene expression cassette comprising a response element comprising a domain to which the DNA binding domain from the first hybrid polypeptide of the gene expression modulation system binds; a promoter that is activated by the transactivation domain of the second hybrid polypeptide of the gene expression modulation system; and a gene whose expression is to be modulated; wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) introducing into the host cell a gene expression modulation system according to the invention; and b) introducing into the host cell a ligand; whereby upon introduction of the ligand into the host, expression of the gene is modulated.

Genes of interest for expression in a host cell using Applicants' methods may be endogenous genes or heterologous genes. Nucleic acid or amino acid sequence information for a desired gene or protein can be located in one of many public access databases, for example, GENBANK, EMBL, Swiss-Prot, and PIR, or in many biology related journal publications. Thus, those skilled in the art have access to nucleic acid sequence information for virtually all known genes. Such information can then be used to construct the desired constructs for the insertion of the gene of interest within the gene expression cassettes used in Applicants' methods described herein.

Examples of genes of interest for expression in a host cell using Applicants' methods include, but are not limited to: antigens produced in plants as vaccines, enzymes like alpha-amylase, phytase, glucanes, xylase and xylanase, genes for resistance against insects, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and abiotic stresses, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, genes for modifying amino acid content, herbicide resistance, cold, drought, and heat tolerance, industrial products, oils, protein, carbohydrates, antioxidants, male sterile plants, flowers, fuels, other output traits, genes encoding therapeutically desirable polypeptides or products that may be used to treat a condition, a disease, a disorder, a dysfunction, a genetic defect, such as monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, proteases, cytokines, interferons, insulin, erthropoietin, clotting factors, other blood factors or components, viral vectors for gene therapy, virus for vaccines, targets for drug discovery, functional genomics, and proteomics analyses and applications, and the like.

Acceptable ligands are any that modulate expression of the gene when binding of the DNA binding domain of the gene expression system according to the invention to the response element in the presence of the ligand results in activation or suppression of expression of the genes. Preferred ligands include an ecdysteroid, such as ecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, ponasterone A, muristerone A, and the like, 9-cis-retinoic acid, synthetic analogs of retinoic acid, N,N′-diacylhydrazines such as those disclosed in U. S. Pat. Nos. 6,013,836; 5,117,057; 5,530,028; 5,378,726; and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/775,883 and 10/787,906; dibenzoylalkyl cyanohydrazines such as those disclosed in European Application No. 461,809; N-alkyl-N,N′-diaroylhydrazines such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,443; N-acyl-N-alkylcarbonylhydrazines such as those disclosed in European Application No. 234,994; N-aroyl-N-alkyl-N′-aroylhydrazines such as those described in U. S. Pat. No. 4,985,461; tetrahydroquinolines such as those disclosed in International Application No. PCT/US03/00915; each of which is incorporated herein by reference and other similar materials including 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-N-isobutyl-benzamide, 8-O-acetylharpagide, oxysterols, 22(R) hydroxycholesterol, 24(S) hydroxycholesterol, 25-epoxycholesterol, T0901317, 5-alpha-6-alpha-epoxycholesterol-3-sulfate (ECHS), 7-ketocholesterol-3-sulfate, farnesol, bile acids, 1,1-biphosphonate esters, Juvenile hormone III, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the ligand for use in Applicants' method of modulating expression of gene is a compound of the formula:

wherein:

-   -   E is a branched (C₄-C₁₂)alkyl or branched (C₄-C₁₂)alkenyl         containing a tertiary carbon or a cyano(C₃-C₁₂)alkyl containing         a tertiary carbon;     -   R¹ is H, Me, Et, i-Pr, F, formyl, CF₃, CHF₂, CHCl₂, CH₂F, CH₂Cl,         CH₂OH, CH₂OMe, CH₂CN, CN, C^(o)CH, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl,         vinyl, OH, OMe, OEt, cyclopropyl, CF₂CF₃, CH═CHCN, allyl, azido,         SCN, or SCHF₂;     -   R² is H, Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, formyl, CF₃, CHF₂, CHCl₂, CH₂F,         CH₂Cl, CH₂OH, CH₂OMe, CH₂CN, CN, C^(o)CH, 1-propynyl,         2-propynyl, vinyl, Ac, F, Cl, OH, OMe, OEt, O-n-Pr, OAc, NMe₂,         NEt₂, SMe, SEt, SOCF₃, OCF₂CF₂H, COEt, cyclopropyl, CF₂CF₃,         CH═CHCN, allyl, azido, OCF₃, OCHF₂, O-i-Pr, SCN, SCHF₂, SOMe,         NH—CN, or joined with R³ and the phenyl carbons to which R² and         R³ are attached to form an ethylenedioxy, a dihydrofuryl ring         with the oxygen adjacent to a phenyl carbon, or a dihydropyryl         ring with the oxygen adjacent to a phenyl carbon;     -   R³ is H, Et, or joined with R² and the phenyl carbons to which         R² and R³ are attached to form an ethylenedioxy, a dihydrofuryl         ring with the oxygen adjacent to a phenyl carbon, or a         dihydropyryl ring with the oxygen adjacent to a phenyl carbon;     -   R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶ are independently H, Me, Et, F, Cl, Br, formyl,         CF₃, CHF₂, CHCl₂, CH₂F, CH₂Cl, CH₂OH, CN, C^(o)CH, 1-propynyl,         2-propynyl, vinyl, OMe, OEt, SMe, or Set.

In another preferred embodiment, the ligand for use in Applicants' method of modulating expression of gene is a compound of the formula:

wherein:

R1 R2 R3 R4 1 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₃ —CH₃ —CH₃ 2 —CH₃ —CH₂CH₃ —CH3 —CH₃ 3 —CH₃ -i-Pr —CH3 —CH₃

In another preferred embodiment, the ligand for use in Applicants' method of modulating expression of gene is a compound of the formula:

wherein:

R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 E 1 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₂CH₂O— —OCH₃ —CH₃ —OCH₃ —CH(CH₂CH₃)tBu 2 H H —CH₂CH₃ —CH₃ H —CH₃ —CH(nBu)tBu 3 —CH₂CH₃ —OCH₂CH₂O— —OCH₃ —CH₃ —OCH₃ —CH(tBu)CH═C(CH₃)tBu

In a further preferred embodiment, the ligand for use in Applicants' method of modulating expression of gene is a compound of the formula:

wherein:

R1 R2 R3 1 F F 3-F-4-CH₃—Ph— 2 F F 3-CH₃-4-F—Ph—

In another preferred embodiment, the ligand for use in Applicants' method of modulating expression of gene is an ecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, ponasterone A, muristerone A, an oxysterol, a 22(R) hydroxycholesterol, 24(S) hydroxycholesterol, 25-epoxycholesterol, T0901317, 5-alpha-6-alpha-epoxycholesterol-3-sulfate (ECHS), 7-ketocholesterol-3-sulfate, farnesol, bile acids, 1,1-biphosphonate esters, or Juvenile hormone III.

In another preferred embodiment, a second ligand may be used in addition to the first ligand discussed above in Applicants' method of modulating expression of a gene. Preferably, this second ligand is 9-cis-retinoic acid or a synthetic analog of retinoic acid.

Host Cells and Non-Human Organisms of the Invention

As described above, the gene expression modulation system of the present invention may be used to modulate gene expression in a host cell. Expression in transgenic host cells may be useful for the expression of various genes of interest. Applicants' invention provides for modulation of gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells. Expression in transgenic host cells is useful for the expression of various polypeptides of interest including but not limited to antigens produced in plants as vaccines, enzymes like alpha-amylase, phytase, glucanes, xylase and xylanase, genes for resistance against insects, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and abiotic stresses, antigens, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, genes for modifying amino acid content, herbicide resistance, cold, drought, and heat tolerance, industrial products, oils, protein, carbohydrates, antioxidants, male sterile plants, flowers, fuels, other output traits, therapeutic polypeptides, pathway intermediates; for the modulation of pathways already existing in the host for the synthesis of new products heretofore not possible using the host; cell based assays; functional genomics assays, biotherapeutic protein production, proteomics assays, and the like. Additionally the gene products may be useful for conferring higher growth yields of the host or for enabling an alternative growth mode to be utilized.

Thus, Applicants' invention provides an isolated host cell comprising a gene expression system according to the invention. The present invention also provides an isolated host cell comprising a gene expression cassette according to the invention. Applicants' invention also provides an isolated host cell comprising a polynucleotide or a polypeptide according to the invention. The present invention also relates to a host cell transfected with an expression vector according to the invention. The host cell may be a bacterial cell, a fungal cell, a nematode cell, an insect cell, a fish cell, a plant cell, an avian cell, an animal cell, or a mammalian cell. In still another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for producing a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, wherein the method comprises culturing the host cell as described above in culture medium under conditions permitting expression of a polynucleotide encoding the nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation, and isolating the nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation from the culture.

In a specific embodiment, the isolated host cell is a prokaryotic host cell or a eukaryotic host cell. In another specific embodiment, the isolated host cell is an invertebrate host cell or a vertebrate host cell. Preferably, the host cell is selected from the group consisting of a bacterial cell, a fungal cell, a yeast cell, a nematode cell, an insect cell, a fish cell, a plant cell, an avian cell, an animal cell, and a mammalian cell. More preferably, the host cell is a yeast cell, a nematode cell, an insect cell, a plant cell, a zebrafish cell, a chicken cell, a hamster cell, a mouse cell, a rat cell, a rabbit cell, a cat cell, a dog cell, a bovine cell, a goat cell, a cow cell, a pig cell, a horse cell, a sheep cell, a simian cell, a monkey cell, a chimpanzee cell, or a human cell. Examples of preferred host cells include, but are not limited to, fungal or yeast species such as Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Saccharomyces, Pichia, Candida, Hansenula, or bacterial species such as those in the genera Synechocystis, Synechococcus, Salmonella, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Rhodococcus, Streptomyces, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Methylomonas, Methylobacter, Alcaligenes, Synechocystis, Anabaena, Thiobacillus, Methanobacterium and Klebsiella; plant species selected from the group consisting of an apple, Arabidopsis, bajra, banana, barley, beans, beet, blackgram, chickpea, chili, cucumber, eggplant, favabean, maize, melon, millet, mungbean, oat, okra, Panicum, papaya, peanut, pea, pepper, pigeonpea, pineapple, Phaseolus, potato, pumpkin, rice, sorghum, soybean, squash, sugarcane, sugarbeet, sunflower, sweet potato, tea, tomato, tobacco, watermelon, and wheat; animal; and mammalian host cells.

In a specific embodiment, the host cell is a yeast cell selected from the group consisting of a Saccharomyces, a Pichia, and a Candida host cell.

In another specific embodiment, the host cell is a Caenorhabdus elegans nematode cell.

In another specific embodiment, the host cell is an insect cell.

In another specific embodiment, the host cell is a plant cell selected from the group consisting of an apple, Arabidopsis, bajra, banana, barley, beans, beet, blackgram, chickpea, chili, cucumber, eggplant, favabean, maize, melon, millet, mungbean, oat, okra, Panicum, papaya, peanut, pea, pepper, pigeonpea, pineapple, Phaseolus, potato, pumpkin, rice, sorghum, soybean, squash, sugarcane, sugarbeet, sunflower, sweet potato, tea, tomato, tobacco, watermelon, and wheat cell.

In another specific embodiment, the host cell is a zebrafish cell.

In another specific embodiment, the host cell is a chicken cell.

In another specific embodiment, the host cell is a mammalian cell selected from the group consisting of a hamster cell, a mouse cell, a rat cell, a rabbit cell, a cat cell, a dog cell, a bovine cell, a goat cell, a cow cell, a pig cell, a horse cell, a sheep cell, a monkey cell, a chimpanzee cell, and a human cell.

Host cell transformation is well known in the art and may be achieved by a variety of methods including but not limited to electroporation, viral infection, plasmid/vector transfection, non-viral vector mediated transfection, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, particle bombardment, and the like. Expression of desired gene products involves culturing the transformed host cells under suitable conditions and inducing expression of the transformed gene. Culture conditions and gene expression protocols in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are well known in the art (see General Methods section of Examples). Cells may be harvested and the gene products isolated according to protocols specific for the gene product.

In addition, a host cell may be chosen which modulates the expression of the inserted polynucleotide, or modifies and processes the polypeptide product in the specific fashion desired. Different host cells have characteristic and specific mechanisms for the translational and post-translational processing and modification [e.g., glycosylation, cleavage (e.g., of signal sequence)] of proteins. Appropriate cell lines or host systems can be chosen to ensure the desired modification and processing of the foreign protein expressed. For example, expression in a bacterial system can be used to produce a non-glycosylated core protein product. However, a polypeptide expressed in bacteria may not be properly folded. Expression in yeast can produce a glycosylated product. Expression in eukaryotic cells can increase the likelihood of “native” glycosylation and folding of a heterologous protein. Moreover, expression in mammalian cells can provide a tool for reconstituting, or constituting, the polypeptide's activity. Furthermore, different vector/host expression systems may affect processing reactions, such as proteolytic cleavages, to a different extent.

Applicants' invention also relates to a non-human organism comprising an isolated host cell according to the invention. In a specific embodiment, the non-human organism is a prokaryotic organism or a eukaryotic organism. In another specific embodiment, the non-human organism is an invertebrate organism or a vertebrate organism.

Preferably, the non-human organism is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a fungus, a yeast, a nematode, an insect, a fish, a plant, a bird, an animal, and a mammal. More preferably, the non-human organism is a yeast, a nematode, an insect, a plant, a zebrafish, a chicken, a hamster, a mouse, a rat, a rabbit, a cat, a dog, a bovine, a goat, a cow, a pig, a horse, a sheep, a simian, a monkey, or a chimpanzee.

In a specific embodiment, the non-human organism is a yeast selected from the group consisting of Saccharomyces, Pichia, and Candida.

In another specific embodiment, the non-human organism is a Caenorhabdus elegans nematode.

In another specific embodiment, the non-human organism is a plant selected from the group consisting of an apple, Arabidopsis, bajra, banana, barley, beans, beet, blackgram, chickpea, chili, cucumber, eggplant, favabean, maize, melon, millet, mungbean, oat, okra, Panicum, papaya, peanut, pea, pepper, pigeonpea, pineapple, Phaseolus, potato, pumpkin, rice, sorghum, soybean, squash, sugarcane, sugarbeet, sunflower, sweet potato, tea, tomato, tobacco, watermelon, and wheat.

In another specific embodiment, the non-human organism is a Mus musculus mouse.

Measuring Gene Expression/Transcription

One useful measurement of Applicants' methods of the invention is that of the transcriptional state of the cell including the identities and abundances of RNA, preferably mRNA species. Such measurements are conveniently conducted by measuring cDNA abundances by any of several existing gene expression technologies.

Nucleic acid array technology is a useful technique for determining differential mRNA expression. Such technology includes, for example, oligonucleotide chips and DNA microarrays. These techniques rely on DNA fragments or oligonucleotides which correspond to different genes or cDNAs which are immobilized on a solid support and hybridized to probes prepared from total mRNA pools extracted from cells, tissues, or whole organisms and converted to cDNA. Oligonucleotide chips are arrays of oligonucleotides synthesized on a substrate using photolithographic techniques. Chips have been produced which can analyze for up to 1700 genes. DNA microarrays are arrays of DNA samples, typically PCR products that are robotically printed onto a microscope slide. Each gene is analyzed by a full or partial-length target DNA sequence. Microarrays with up to 10,000 genes are now routinely prepared commercially. The primary difference between these two techniques is that oligonucleotide chips typically utilize 25-mer oligonucleotides which allow fractionation of short DNA molecules whereas the larger DNA targets of microarrays, approximately 1000 base pairs, may provide more sensitivity in fractionating complex DNA mixtures.

Another useful measurement of Applicants' methods of the invention is that of determining the translation state of the cell by measuring the abundances of the constituent protein species present in the cell using processes well known in the art.

Where identification of genes associated with various physiological functions is desired, an assay may be employed in which changes in such functions as cell growth, apoptosis, senescence, differentiation, adhesion, binding to a specific molecules, binding to another cell, cellular organization, organogenesis, intracellular transport, transport facilitation, energy conversion, metabolism, myogenesis, neurogenesis, and/or hematopoiesis is measured.

In addition, selectable marker or reporter gene expression may be used to measure gene expression modulation using Applicants' invention.

Other methods to detect the products of gene expression are well known in the art and include Southern blots (DNA detection), dot or slot blots (DNA, RNA), northern blots (RNA), RT-PCR (RNA), western blots (polypeptide detection), and ELISA (polypeptide) analyses. Although less preferred, labeled proteins can be used to detect a particular nucleic acid sequence to which it hybidizes.

In some cases it is necessary to amplify the amount of a nucleic acid sequence. This may be carried out using one or more of a number of suitable methods including, for example, polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”), ligase chain reaction (“LCR”), strand displacement amplification (“SDA”), transcription-based amplification, and the like. PCR is carried out in accordance with known techniques in which, for example, a nucleic acid sample is treated in the presence of a heat stable DNA polymerase, under hybridizing conditions, with one pair of oligonucleotide primers, with one primer hybridizing to one strand (template) of the specific sequence to be detected. The primers are sufficiently complementary to each template strand of the specific sequence to hybridize therewith. An extension product of each primer is synthesized and is complementary to the nucleic acid template strand to which it hybridized. The extension product synthesized from each primer can also serve as a template for further synthesis of extension products using the same primers. Following a sufficient number of rounds of synthesis of extension products, the sample may be analyzed as described above to assess whether the sequence or sequences to be detected are present.

Ligand Screening Assays

The present invention also relates to methods of screening for a compound that induces or represses transactivation of a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation in a cell by contacting a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain with a candidate molecule and detecting reporter gene activity in the presence of the ligand. Candidate compounds may be either agonists or antagonists of the nuclear receptor ligand binding domain. In a preferred embodiment, the nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is expressed from a polynucleotide in the cell and the transactivation activity (i.e., expression or repression of a reporter gene) or compound binding activity is measured.

Accordingly, in addition to rational design of agonists and antagonists based on the structure of a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain, the present invention contemplates an alternative method for identifying specific ligands of a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain using various screening assays known in the art.

Any screening technique known in the art can be used to screen for Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain agonists or antagonists. For example, a suitable cell line comprising a nuclear receptor-based gene expression system according to the invention can be transfected with a gene expression cassette encoding a marker gene operatively linked to an inducible or repressible promoter. The transfected cells are then exposed to a test solution comprising a candidate agonist or antagonist compound, and then assayed for marker gene expression or repression. The presence of more marker gene expression relative to control cells not exposed to the test solution is an indication of the presence of an agonist compound in the test solution. Conversely, the presence of less marker gene expression relative to control cells not exposed to the test solution is an indication of the presence of an antagonist compound in the test solution.

The present invention contemplates screens for small molecule ligands or ligand analogs and mimics, as well as screens for natural ligands that bind to and agonize or antagonize a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain according to the invention in vivo. For example, natural products libraries can be screened using assays of the invention for molecules that agonize or antagonize nuclear receptor-based gene expression system activity.

Identification and screening of antagonists is further facilitated by determining structural features of the protein, e.g., using X-ray crystallography, neutron diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and other techniques for structure determination. These techniques provide for the rational design or identification of agonists and antagonists.

Another approach uses recombinant bacteriophage to produce large libraries. Using the “phage method” [Scott and Smith, 1990, Science 249: 386-390 (1990); Cwirla, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 87: 6378-6382 (1990); Devlin et al., Science, 249: 404-406 (1990)], very large libraries can be constructed (10⁶-10⁸ chemical entities). A second approach uses primarily chemical methods, of which the Geysen method [Geysen et al., Molecular Immunology 23: 709-715 (1986); Geysen et al. J. Immunologic Method 102: 259-274 (1987)] and the method of Fodor et al. [Science 251: 767-773 (1991)] are examples. Furka et al. [14th International Congress of Biochemistry, Volume 5, Abstract FR:013 (1988); Furka, Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 37:487-493 (1991)], Houghton [U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,211, issued December 1986] and Rutter et al. [U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,175, issued Apr. 23, 1991] describe methods to produce a mixture of peptides that can be tested as agonists or antagonists.

In another aspect, synthetic libraries [Needels et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 10700-4 (1993); Ohlmeyer et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 10922-10926 (1993); Lam et al., International Patent Publication No. WO 92/00252; Kocis et al., International Patent Publication No. WO 9428028, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety], and the like can be used to screen for candidate ligands according to the present invention.

The screening can be performed with recombinant cells that express a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain according to the invention, or alternatively, using purified protein, e.g., produced recombinantly, as described above. For example, labeled, soluble nuclear receptor ligand binding domains can be used to screen libraries, as described in the foregoing references.

In one embodiment, a Group H nuclear receptor ligand binding domain according to the invention may be directly labeled. In another embodiment, a labeled secondary reagent may be used to detect binding of a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain of the invention to a molecule of interest, e.g., a molecule attached to a solid phase support. Binding may be detected by in situ formation of a chromophore by an enzyme label. Suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, alkaline phosphatase and horseradish peroxidase. In a further embodiment, a two-color assay, using two chromogenic substrates with two enzyme labels on different acceptor molecules of interest, may be used. Cross-reactive and singly reactive ligands may be identified with a two-color assay.

Other labels for use in the invention include colored latex beads, magnetic beads, fluorescent labels (e.g., fluorescene isothiocyanate (FITC), phycoerythrin (PE), Texas red (TR), rhodamine, free or chelated lanthanide series salts, especially Eu³⁺, to name a few fluorophores), chemiluminescent molecules, radioisotopes, or magnetic resonance imaging labels. Two-color assays may be performed with two or more colored latex beads, or fluorophores that emit at different wavelengths. Labeled molecules or cells may be detected visually or by mechanical/optical means. Mechanical/optical means include fluorescence activated sorting, i.e., analogous to FACS, and micromanipulator removal means.

The present invention may be better understood by reference to the following non-limiting Examples, which are provided as exemplary of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Applicants have developed a CfEcR homology model and have used this homology model together with a published Chironomous tetans ecdysone receptor (“CtEcR”) homology model (Wurtz et al., 2000) to identify critical residues involved in binding to ecdysteroids and non-ecdysteroids. The synthetic non-steroid, diacylhydrazines, have been shown to bind lepidopteran EcRs with high affinity and induce precocious incomplete molt in these insects (Wing et al., 1988) and several of these compounds are currently marketed as insecticides. The ligand binding cavity of EcRs has evolved to fit the long backbone structures of ecdysteroids such as 20E. The diacylhydrazines have a compact structure compared to ecdysteroids and occupy only the bottom part of the EcR binding pocket. This leaves a few critical residues at the top part of the binding pocket that make contact with ecdysteroids but not with non-ecdysteroids such as diacylhydrazines. Applicants made substitution mutations of the residues that make contact with ecdysteroids and/or non-ecdysteroids and determined the mutational effect on ligand binding. Applicants describe herein substitution mutations at several of these residues and have identified several classes of substitution mutant receptors based upon their binding and transactivation characteristics. Applicants' novel substitution mutated nuclear receptor polynucleotides and polypeptides are useful in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene modulation system for various applications including gene therapy, expression of proteins of interest in host cells, production of transgenic organisms, and cell-based assays.

General Methods

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used herein are well known in the art and are described by Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989) (Maniatis) and by T. J. Silhavy, M. L. Bennan, and L. W. Enquist, Experiments with Gene Fusions, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1984) and by Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Assoc. and Wiley-Interscience (1987).

Materials and methods suitable for the maintenance and growth of bacterial cultures are well known in the art. Techniques suitable for use in the following examples may be found as set out in Manual of Methods for General Bacteriology (Phillipp Gerhardt, R. G. E. Murray, Ralph N. Costilow, Eugene W. Nester, Willis A. Wood, Noel R. Krieg and G. Briggs Phillips, eds), American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC. (1994)) or by Thomas D. Brock in Biotechnology: A Textbook of Industrial Microbiology, Second Edition, Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, Mass. (1989). All reagents, restriction enzymes and materials used for the growth and maintenance of host cells were obtained from Aldrich Chemicals (Milwaukee, Wis.), DIFCO Laboratories (Detroit, Mich.), GIBCO/BRL (Gaithersburg, Md.), or Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, Mo.) unless otherwise specified.

Manipulations of genetic sequences may be accomplished using the suite of programs available from the Genetics Computer Group Inc. (Wisconsin Package Version 9.0, Genetics Computer Group (GCG), Madison, Wis.). Where the GCG program “Pileup” is used the gap creation default value of 12, and the gap extension default value of 4 may be used. Where the CGC “Gap” or “Bestfit” program is used the default gap creation penalty of 50 and the default gap extension penalty of 3 may be used. In any case where GCG program parameters are not prompted for, in these or any other GCG program, default values may be used.

The meaning of abbreviations is as follows: “h” means hour(s), “min” means minute(s), “sec” means second(s), “d” means day(s), “μL” means microliter(s), “mL” means milliliter(s), “L” means liter(s), “μM” means micromolar, “mM” means millimolar, “μg” means microgram(s), “mg” means milligram(s), “A” means adenine or adenosine, “T” means thymine or thymidine, “G” means guanine or guanosine, “C” means cytidine or cytosine, “x g” means times gravity, “nt” means nucleotide(s), “aa” means amino acid(s), “bp” means base pair(s), “kb” means kilobase(s), “k” means kilo, “μ” means micro, and “° C.” means degrees Celsius.

Example 1

This Example describes the construction of several gene expression cassettes comprising novel substitution mutant Group H nuclear receptor polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention for use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system. Applicants constructed gene expression cassettes based on the spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana EcR (“CfEcR). The prepared receptor constructs comprise a ligand binding domain of either an EcR or a chimera of Homo sapiens RXRβ-LmRXR; and a GAL4 DNA binding domain (DBD) or a VP16 transactivation domain (AD). The reporter constructs include the reporter gene luciferase operably linked to a synthetic promoter construct that comprises a GAL4 response element to which the Gal4 DBD binds. Various combinations of these receptor and reporter constructs were cotransfected into mammalian cells as described in Examples 2-5 infra.

Gene Expression Cassettes: Ecdysone receptor-based gene expression cassettes (switches) were constructed as followed, using standard cloning methods available in the art. The following is a brief description of preparation and composition of each switch used in the Examples described herein.

1.1—GAL4CfEcR-DEF/VP16-βRXREF-LmRXREF: The wild-type D, E, and F domains from spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana EcR (“CfEcR-DEF”; SEQ ID NO: 21) were fused to a GAL4 DNA binding domain (“Gal4DNABD” or “Gal4DBD”; SEQ ID NO: 6) and placed under the control of a CMV promoter (SEQ ID NO: 2). Helices 1 through 8 of the EF domains from Homo sapiens RXRβ (“HsRXRβ-EF”; nucleotides 1-465 of SEQ ID NO: 3) and helices 9 through 12 of the EF domains of Locusta migratoria Ultraspiracle Protein (“LmRXR-EF”; nucleotides 403-630 of SEQ ID NO: 23) were fused to the transactivation domain from VP16 (“VP16AD”; SEQ ID NO: 12) and placed under the control of an SV40e promoter (SEQ ID NO: 22). Five consensus GAL4 response element binding sites (“5×GAL4RE”; comprising 5 copies of a GAL4RE comprising SEQ ID NO: 19) were fused to a synthetic TATA minimal promoter (SEQ ID NO: 24) and placed upstream of the luciferase reporter gene (SEQ ID NO: 25).

1.2—GAL4/mutantCfEcR-DEF/VP16-βRXREF-LmRXREF: This construct was prepared in the same way as in switch 1.1 above except wild-type CfEcR-DEF was replaced with mutant CfEcR-DEF comprising a ligand binding domain comprising a substitution mutation selected from Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Substitution Mutants of Choristoneura fumiferana Ecdysone Receptor (“CfEcR”) Ligand Binding Domain (LBD). Corresponding amino acid CfEcR LBD Resulting “WT to Mutant” Amino in full length CfEcR Mutation Acid Substitution (SEQ ID NO: 26) F48Y Phenylalanine (F) to Tyrosine (Y) 331 F48W Phenylalanine (F) to Tryptophan (W) 331 F48L Phenylalanine (F) to Leucine (L) 331 F48N Phenylalanine (F) to Asparagine (N) 331 F48R Phenylalanine (F) to Arginine (R) 331 F48K Phenylalanine (F) to Lysine (K) 331 I51N Isoleucine (I) to Asparagine (N) 334 I51L Isoleucine (I) to Leucine (L) 334 I51M Isoleucine (I) to Methionine (M) 334 T52M Threonine (T) to Methionine (M) 335 T52R Threonine (T) to Arginine (R) 335 T52W Threonine (T) to Tryptophan (W) 335 T52G Threonine (T) to Glycine (G) 335 T52Q Threonine (T) to Glutamine (Q) 335 T52E Threonine (T) to Glutamic Acid (E) 335 T52P Threonine (T) to Proline (P) 335 M54W Methionine (M) to Tryptophan (W) 337 M54T Methionine (M) to Threonine (T) 337 M92L Methionine (M) to Leucine (L) 375 M92E Methionine (M) to Glutamic Acid (E) 375 R95H Arginine (R) to Histidine (H) 378 R95M Arginine (R) to Methionine (M) 378 R95W Arginine (R) to Tryptophan (W) 378 V96L Valine (V) to Leucine (L) 379 V96W Valine (V) to Tryptophan (W) 379 V96S Valine (V) to Serine (S) 379 V96E Valine (V) to Glutamic Acid (E) 379 V107I Valine (V) to Isoleucine (I) 390 F109L Phenlyalanine (F) to Leucine (L) 392 F109P Phenylalanine (F) to Proline (P) 392 F109W Phenylalanine (F) to Tryptophan (W) 392 F109M Phenylalanine (F) to Methionine (M) 392 F109N Phenylalanine (F) to Asparagine (N) 392 A110E Alanine (A) to Glutamatic Acid (E) 393 A110N Alanine (A) to Asparagine (N) 393 A110W Alanine (A) to Tryptophan (W) 393 N119F Asparagine (N) to Phenylalanine (F) 402 Y120W Tyrosine (Y) to Tryptophan (W) 403 Y120M Tyrosine (Y) to Methionine (M) 403 M125E Methionine (M) to Glutamic Acid (E) 408 M125P Methionine (M) to Proline (P) 408 M125R Methionine (M) to Arginine (R) 408 M125L Methionine (M) to Leucine (L) 408 M125C Methionine (M) to Cysteine (C) 408 M125W Methionine (M) to Tryptophan (W) 408 M125G Methionine (M) to Glycine (G) 408 M125I Methionine (M) to Isoleucine (I) 408 M125N Methionine (M) to Asparagine (N) 408 M125S Methionine (M) to Serine (S) 408 M125V Methionine (M) to Valine (V) 408 V128F Valine (V) to Phenylalanine (F) 411 L132M Leucine (L) to Methionine (M) 415 L132N Leucine (L) to Asparagine (N) 415 L132V Leucine (L) to Valine (V) 415 L132E Leucine (L) to Glutamic Acid (E) 415 R175E Arginine (R) to Glutamic Acid (E) 458 M219K Methionine (M) to Lysine (K) 502 M219W Methionine (M) to Tryptophan (W) 502 M219Y Methionine (M) to Tyrosine (Y) 502 M219A Methionine (M) to Alanine (A) 502 L223K Leucine (L) to Lysine (K) 506 L223R Leucine (L) to Arginine (R) 506 L223Y Leucine (L) to Tyrosine (Y) 506 L234M Leucine (L) to Methionine (M) 517 L234I Leucine (L) to Isoleucine (I) 517 L234R Leucine (L) to Arginine (R) 517 L234W Leucine (L) to Tryptophan (W) 517 W238P Tryptophan (W) to Proline (P) 521 W238E Tryptophan (W) to Glutamic Acid (E) 521 W238Y Tryptophan (W) to Tyrosine (Y) 521 W238L Tryptophan (W) to Leucine (L) 521 W238M Tryptophan (W) to Methionine (M) 521 T52V and Threonine (T) to Valine (V) and 335 and 393, respectively A110P double Alanine (A) to Proline (P), respectively mutant N119F and Asparagine (N) to Phenylalanine (F) 402 and 379, respectively V96T double and Valine (V) to Threonine (T), mutant respectively V128F and Valine (V) to Phenylalanine (F) and 411 and 393, respectively A110P double Alanine (A) to Proline (P), respectively mutant T52V, V107I Threonine (T) to Valine (V), 335, 390 and 458, and R175E triple Valine (V) to Isoleucine (I) and respectively mutant Arginine (R) to Glutamic Acid (E), respectively T52A, V107I Threonine (T) to Alanine (A), 335, 390 and 458, and R175E triple Valine (V) to Isoleucine (I) and respectively mutant Arginine (R) to Glutamic Acid (E), respectively V96A, V107I Valine (V) to Alanine (A), 379, 390 and 458, and R175E triple Valine (V) to Isoleucine (I) and respectively mutant Arginine (R) to Glutamic Acid (E), respectively V96T, V107I Valine (V) to Threonine (T), 379, 390 and 458, and R175E triple Valine (V) to Isoleucine (I) and respectively mutant Arginine (R) to Glutamic Acid (E), respectively V107I, Y127E Valine (V) to Isoleucine (I), Tyrosine 390, 410 and 393, and A110P triple (Y) to Glutamic Acid (E) and Alanine respectively mutant (A) to Proline (P), respectively V107I, Y127E Valine (V) to Isoleucine (I), Tyrosine 390, 410 and 458, and R175E triple (Y) to Glutamic Acid (E) and Arginine respectively mutant (R) to Glutamic Acid (E), respectively V107I, A110P Valine (V) to Isoleucine (I), 390, 393, and 458, and R175E triple Alanine (A) to Proline (P) and Arginine respectively mutant (R) to Glutamic Acid (E), respectively V107I, Y127E, Valine (V) to Isoleucine (I), Tyrosine 390, 410 and 335, T52V triple (Y) to Glutamic Acid (E), and respectively mutant Threonine (T) to Valine (V) V107I/Y127E/G Valine (V) to Isoleucine (I), Tyrosine 390, 410, and 542, (Y) to Glutamic Acid (E), and Glycine, respectively respectively Construction of Ecdysone Receptor Ligand Binding Domains Comprising a Substitution Mutation:

In an effort to modify EcR ligand binding, residues within the EcR ligand binding domains that were predicted to be important for ligand binding based upon a molecular modeling analysis were mutated in EcRs from three different classes of organisms. Table 1 indicates the amino acid residues within the ligand binding domain of CfEcR (Lepidopteran EcR) (SEQ ID NO: 1) that were mutated and examined for modification of ecdysteroid and non-ecdysteroid binding.

Each one of the amino acid substitution mutations listed in Table 1 was constructed in an EcR cDNA by PCR mediated site-directed mutagenesis. In addition to the many single mutation point mutations made, two different double point mutant CfEcRs were also made: one comprising both the V128F and A110P substitutions (V128F/A110P), and a second comprising both the N119F and V96T substitutions (N119F/V96T). Three different triple point mutant CfEcRs were also made: one comprising the V107I, Y127E and A110P substitutions (V107I/Y127E/A110P), the second comprising the V107I, Y127E and T52V substitutions (V107I/Y127E/T52V), and the third comprising the V107I and Y127E substitutions and a glycine (G) insertion (V107I/Y127E/259G) (SEQ ID NO: 1).

PCR site-directed mutagenesis was performed using the Quikchange site-directed mutagenesis kit (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) using the reaction conditions and cycling parameters as follows. PCR site-directed mutagenesis was performed using 1× reaction buffer (supplied by manufacturer), 50 ng of dsDNA template, 125 ng of forward primer (FP), 125 ng of reverse complementary primer (RCP), and 1 μL of dNTP mix (supplied by manufacturer) in a final reaction volume of 50 μL. The forward primer and reverse complementary primer used to produce each EcR mutant are presented in Table 2. The cycling parameters used consisted of one cycle of denaturing at 95° C. for 30 seconds, followed by 16 cycles of denaturating at 95° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 55° C. for 1 minute, and extending at 68° C. for 22 minutes.

TABLE 2 PCR Primers for Substitution Mutant CfEcR Ligand Binding Domain Construction PRIMER PRIMER NUCLEOTIDE MUTANT (SEQ ID NO:) SEQUENCE (5′ TO 3′) F48Y FP gtcggacactccctaccgccagatcacag (SEQ ID NO: 27) F48Y RCP ctgtgatctggcggtagggagtgtccgac (SEQ ID NO: 28) F48W FP gtcggacactccctggcgccagatcacagag (SEQ ID NO: 29) F48W RCP ctctgtgatctggcgccagggagtgtccgac (SEQ ID NO: 30) F48L FP gtcggacactcccttgcgccagatcacag (SEQ ID NO: 31) F48L RCP ctgtgatctggcgcaagggagtgtccgac (SEQ ID NO: 32) F48N FP gaggctgacactcccaaccgccagatcacagag (SEQ ID NO: 33) F48N RCP ctctgtgatctggcggttgggagtgtcagcctc (SEQ ID NO: 34) F48R FP gtcggacactccccgccgccagatcacag (SEQ ID NO: 35) F48R RCP ctgtgatctggcggcggggagtgtccgac (SEQ ID NO: 36) F48K FP gtcggacactcccaagcgccagatcacag (SEQ ID NO: 37) F48K RCP ctgtgatctggcgcttgggagtgtccgac (SEQ ID NO: 38) I51N FP ctcccttccgccagaacacagagatgactatc (SEQ ID NO: 39) I51N RCP gatagtcatctctgtgttctggcggaagggag (SEQ ID NO: 40) I51L FP ctcccttccgccagctcacagagatgac (SEQ ID NO: 41) I51L RCP gtcatctctgtgagctggcggaagggag (SEQ ID NO: 42) I51M FP cactcccttccgccagatgacagagatgac (SEQ ID NO: 43) I51M RCP gtcatctctgtcatctggcggaagggagtg (SEQ ID NO: 44) T52M FP cccttccgccagatcatggagatgactatcctcac (SEQ ID NO: 45) T52M RCP gtgaggatagtcatctccatgatctggcggaaggg (SEQ ID NO: 46) T52R FP cttccgccagatcagagagatgactatcctcac (SEQ ID NO: 47) T52R RCP gtgaggatagtcatctctctgatctggcggaag (SEQ ID NO: 48) T52W FP ctcccttccgccagatctgggagatgactatcctcac (SEQ ID NO: 49) T52W RCP gtgaggatagtcatctcccagatctggcggaagggag (SEQ ID NO: 50) T52L FP cccttccgccagatcctagagatgactatcctcac (SEQ ID NO: 51) T52L RCP gtgaggatagtcatctctaggatctggcggaaggg (SEQ ID NO: 52) T52E FP ctcccttccgccagatcgaggagatgactatcctcac (SEQ ID NO: 53) T52E RCP gtgaggatagtcatctcctcgatctggcggaagggag (SEQ ID NO: 54) T52P FP cttccgccagatcccagagatgactatcctc (SEQ ID NO: 55) T52P RCP gaggatagtcatctctgggatctggcggaag (SEQ ID NO: 56) T52G FP cttccgccagatcggagagatgactatcctcac (SEQ ID NO: 57) T52G RCP gtgaggatagtcatctctccgatctggcggaag (SEQ ID NO: 58) T52Q FP cttccgccagatccaagagatgactatcctcac (SEQ ID NO: 59) T52Q RCP gtgaggatagtcatctcttggatctggcggaag (SEQ ID NO: 60) T52V FP cccttccgccagatcgtagagatgactatcctcac (SEQ ID NO: 61) T52V RCP gtgaggatagtcatctctacgatctggcggaaggg (SEQ ID NO: 62) M54W FP cgccagatcacagagtggactatcctcacggtc (SEQ ID NO: 63) M54W RCP gaccgtgaggatagtccactctgtgatctggcg (SEQ ID NO: 64) M54T FP ccagatcacagagacgactatcctcacggtc (SEQ ID NO: 65) M54T RCP gaccgtgaggatagtcgtctctgtgatctgg (SEQ ID NO: 66) M92L FP gctcaagtgaggtactgatgctccgagtcg (SEQ ID NO: 67) M92L RCP cgactcggagcatcagtacctcacttgagc (SEQ ID NO: 68) M92E FP gctcaagtgaggtagagatgctccgagtcgcg (SEQ ID NO: 69) M92E RCP cgcgactcggagcatctctacctcacttgagc (SEQ ID NO: 70) R95H FP gaggtaatgatgctccacgtcgcgcgacgatac (SEQ ID NO: 71) R95H RCP gtatcgtcgcgcgacgtggagcatcattacctc (SEQ ID NO: 72) R95M FP gtgaggtaatgatgctcatggtcgcgcgacgatacgatg (SEQ ID NO: 73) R95M RCP catcgtatcgtcgcgcgaccatgagcatcattacctcac (SEQ ID NO: 74) R95W FP gtgaggtaatgatgctctgggtcgcgcgacgatacg (SEQ ID NO: 75) R95W RCP cgtatcgtcgcgcgacccagagcatcattacctcac (SEQ ID NO: 76) V96L FP gtaatgatgctccgactcgcgcgacgatac (SEQ ID NO: 77) V96L RCP gtatcgtcgcgcgagtcggagcatcattac (SEQ ID NO: 78) V96W FP gaggtaatgatgctccgatgggcgcgacgatacgatg (SEQ ID NO: 79) V96W RCP catcgtatcgtcgcgcccatcggagcatcattacctc (SEQ ID NO: 80) V965 FP ggtaatgatgctccgatccgcgcgacgatacg (SEQ ID NO: 81) V965 RCP cgtatcgtcgcgcggatcggagcatcattacc (SEQ ID NO: 82) V96E FP ggtaatgatgctccgagaggcgcgacgatacg (SEQ ID NO: 83) V96E RCP cgtatcgtcgcgcctctcggagcatcattacc (SEQ ID NO: 84) V96T FP ggtaatgatgctccgaaccgcgcgacgatacg (SEQ ID NO: 85) V96T RCP cgtatcgtcgcgcggttcggagcatcattacc (SEQ ID NO: 86) V107I FP gcggcctcagacagtattctgttcgcgaac (SEQ ID NO: 87) V107I RCP gttcgcgaacagaatactgtctgaggccgc (SEQ ID NO: 88) F109W FP ctcagacagtgttctgtgggcgaacaaccaagcg (SEQ ID NO: 89) F109W RCP cgcttggttgttcgcccacagaacactgtctgag (SEQ ID NO: 90) F109P FP ctcagacagtgttctgcccgcgaacaaccaagc (SEQ ID NO: 91) F109P RGP gcttggttgttcgcgggcagaacactgtctgag (SEQ ID NO: 92) F109L FP cagacagtgttctgttggcgaacaaccaagcg (SEQ ID NO: 93) F109L RCP cgcttggttgttcgccaacagaacactgtctg (SEQ ID NO: 94) F109M FP cctcagacagtgttctgatggcgaacaaccaagcg (SEQ ID NO: 95) F109M RCP cgcttggttgttcgccatcagaacactgtctgagg (SEQ ID NO: 96) F109N FP cctcagacagtgttctgaacgcgaacaaccaagcg (SEQ ID NO: 97) F109N RCP cgcttggttgttcgcgttcagaacactgtctgagg (SEQ ID NO: 98) A110P FP cagacagtgttctgttcccgaacaaccaagcg (SEQ ID NO: 99) A110P RCP cgcttggttgttcgggaacagaacactgtctg (SEQ ID NO: 100) A110E FP gacagtgttctgttcgagaacaaccaagcgtacac (SEQ ID NO: 101) A110E RCP gtgtacgcttggttgttctcgaacagaacactgtc (SEQ ID NO: 102) A110N FP cagacatctgttcaacaacaaccaagcgtacactcgcg (SEQ ID NO: 103) A110N RCP cgcgagtgtacgcttggttgttgttgaacagaacactgtctg (SEQ ID NO: 104) A110W FP cagacatgttctgttctggaacaaccaagcgtacactc (SEQ ID NO: 105) A110W RCP gagtgtacgcttggttgttccagaacagaacactgtctg (SEQ ID NO: 106) N119n RANDOM FP gcgtacactcgcgacnnntaccgcaaggctggcatgg (SEQ ID NO: 107) N119n RANDOM RCP ccatgccagccttgcggtannngtcgcgagtgtacgc (SEQ ID NO: 108) Y120W FP cactcgcgacaactggcgcaaggctggcatg (SEQ ID NO: 109) Y120W RCP catgccagccttgcgccagttgtcgcgagtg (SEQ ID NO: 110) Y120M FP cactcgcgacaacatgcgcaaggctggcatggcc (SEQ ID NO: 111) Y120M RCP ggccatgccagccttgcgcatgttgtcgcgagtg (SEQ ID NO: 112) M125P FP caaggctggcccggcctacgtcatcgag (SEQ ID NO: 113) M125P RCP ctcgatgacgtaggccgggccagccttg (SEQ ID NO: 114) M125R FP caaggctggcagggcctacgtcatcg (SEQ ID NO: 115) M125R RCP cgatgacgtaggccctgccagccttg (SEQ ID NO: 116) M125E FP gcaaggctggcgaggcctacgtcatcgag (SEQ ID NO: 117) M125E RCP ctcgatgacgtaggcctcgccagccttgc (SEQ ID NO: 118) M125L FP caaggctggcctggcctacgtcatcg (SEQ ID NO: 119) M125L RCP cgatgacgtaggccaggccagccttg (SEQ ID NO: 120) M125C FP ccgcaaggctggctgcgcctacgtcatcgagg (SEQ ID NO: 121) M125C RCP cctcgatgacgtaggcgcagccagccttgcgg (SEQ ID NO: 122) M125G FP ccgcaaggctggcggggcctacgtcatcg (SEQ ID NO: 123) M125G RCP cgatgacgtaggccccgccagccttgcgg (SEQ ID NO: 124) M125I FP ccgcaaggctggcatagcctacgtcatcg (SEQ ID NO: 125) M125I RCP cgatgacgtaggctatgccagccttgcgg (SEQ ID NO: 126) M125V FP gcaaggctggcgtggcctacgtcatcg (SEQ ID NO: 127) M125V RCP cgatgacgtaggccacgccagccttgc (SEQ ID NO: 128) M125W FP gcaaggctggctgggcctacgtcatcgag (SEQ ID NO: 129) M125W RCP ctcgatgacgtaggcccagccagccttgc (SEQ ID NO: 130) Y127E FP caaggctggcatggccgaggtcatcgagg (SEQ ID NO: 131) Y127E RCP cctcgatgacctcggccatgccagccttg (SEQ ID NO: 132) V128F FP ggctggcatggcctacnnnatcgaggatctactgcacttc (SEQ ID NO: 133) V128F RCP gaagtgcagtagatcctcgatnnngtaggccatgccagcc (SEQ ID NO: 134) L132M FP gcctacgtcatcgaggatatgctgcacttctgccgg (SEQ ID NO: 135) L132M RCP ccggcagaagtgcagcatatcctcgatgacgtaggc (SEQ ID NO: 136) L132N FP gcctacgtcatcgaggataacctgcacttctgccgg (SEQ ID NO: 137) L132N RCP ccggcagaagtgcaggttatcctcgatgacgtaggc (SEQ ID NO: 138) L132V FP cgtcatcgaggatgtactgcacttctgccg (SEQ ID NO: 139) L132V RCP cggcagaagtgcagtacatcctcgatgacg (SEQ ID NO: 140) L132E FP gcctacgtcatcgaggatgaactgcacttctgcc (SEQ ID NO: 141) L132E RCP ggcagaagtgcagttcatcctcgatgacgtaggc (SEQ ID NO: 142) M219K FP gcatgcaaaactccaacaagtgcatctccctcaag (SEQ ID NO: 143) M219K RCP cttgagggagatgcacttgttggagttttgcatgc (SEQ ID NO: 144) M219W FP gcatgcaaaactccaactggtgcatctccctcaagct (SEQ ID NO: 145) M219W RCP agcttgagggagatgcaccagttggagttttgcatgc (SEQ ID NO: 146) M219Y FP ctcggcatgcaaaactccaactattgcatctccctcaagctcaag (SEQ ID NO: 147) M219Y RCP cttgagcttgagggagatgcaatagttggagttttgcatgccgag (SEQ ID NO: 148) M219A FP catgcaaaactccaacgcgtgcatctccctcaag (SEQ ID NO: 149) M219A RCP cttgagggagatgcacgcgttggagttttgcatg (SEQ ID NO: 150) L223K FP ctccaacatgtgcatctccaagaagctcaagaacag (SEQ ID NO: 151) L223K RCP ctgttcttgagcttcttggagatgcacatgttggag (SEQ ID NO: 152) L223R FP ctccaacatgtgcatctcccgcaagctcaagaacag (SEQ ID NO: 153) L223R RCP ctgttcttgagcttgcgggagatgcacatgttggag (SEQ ID NO: 154) L223Y FP ctccaacatgtgcatctcctacaagctcaagaacag (SEQ ID NO: 155) L223Y RCP ctgttcttgagcttgtaggagatgcacatgttggag (SEQ ID NO: 156) L234M FP gctgccgcctttcatggaggagatctgggatg (SEQ ID NO: 157) L234M RCP catcccagatctcctccatgaaaggcggcagc (SEQ ID NO: 158) L234I FP gctgccgcctttcattgaggagatctgggatgtg (SEQ ID NO: 159) L234I RCP cacatcccagatctcctcaatgaaaggcggcagc (SEQ ID NO: 160) L234R FP ctgccgcctttccgagaggagatctgggatg (SEQ ID NO: 161) L234R RCP catcccagatctcctctcggaaaggcggcag (SEQ ID NO: 162) L234W FP gctgccgcctttctgggaggagatctgggatgtg (SEQ ID NO: 163) L234W RCP cacatcccagatctcctcccagaaaggcggcagc (SEQ ID NO: 164) W238P FP ctcgaggagatcccggatgtggcaggacatg (SEQ ID NO: 165) W238P RCP catgtcctgccacatccgggatctcctcgag (SEQ ID NO: 166) W238E FP cctcgaggagatcgaggatgtggcaggacatg (SEQ ID NO: 167) W238E RCP catgtcctgccacatcctcgatctcctcgagg (SEQ ID NO: 168) W238L FP ctcgaggagatcttggatgtggcaggacatg (SEQ ID NO: 169) W238L RCP catgtcctgccacatccaagatctcctcgag (SEQ ID NO: 170) W238M FP cctcgaggagatcatggatgtggcaggacatgtc (SEQ ID NO: 171) W238M RCP gacatgtcctgccacatccatgatctcctcgagg (SEQ ID NO: 172) W238Y FP cctcgaggagatctacgatgtggcaggacatgtc (SEQ ID NO: 173) W238Y RCP gacatgtcctgccacatcgtagatctcctcgagg (SEQ ID NO: 174)

The resulting PCR nucleic acid products encoding the mutant EcR ligand binding domains were then each fused to a GAL4 DNA binding domain as described in Example 1.2 above. The GAL4/mutant EcR receptor constructs were tested for activity by transfecting them into NIH3T3 cells along with VP16/βRXREF-LmRXREF and pFRLuc in the presence of various ligands.

The Gal4-CfEcR-DEF(VYG) mutant was created by inserting an extra glycine at the C-terminal end of EcR substitution mutant V107I/Y127E [CfECR(VY)] by PCR. Essentially, this was done in two steps: PCR-amplification of CfEcR-DEF(VYG) and substitution of the CfEcR(VY) in the vector GAL4-CfEcR DEF(VY) pBIND 1-9 with the PCR-amplified CfEcR-DEF(VYG). The CfEcR-DEF region (with the extra glycine) was amplified by using the vector GAL4-CfEcR DEF(VY) pBIND 1-9 as template and the following PCR primers:

(SEQ ID NO: 175) 5EcR-wt GGAATTCCCGGGGATCCGGCCTGAGTGCGTAGTACCC (SEQ ID NO: 176) 3EcR-gly CTCTCTGCGGCCGCCTATCCGAGATTCGTGGGGGACTCGAGGATAG

The PCR product was isolated and digested with Not I (cuts at the 3′ end; included in the 3′ PCR primer) and Xma I (cuts at the 5′ end; present in the 5′PCR primer). This product was ligated to the vector prepared in the following way: GAL4-CfEcR DEF(VY) pBIND 1-9 was digested with Xma I and Not I (the digestion removes the CfEcR-DEF (VY) from the vector). The fragments were separated on 1% agarose gel and the slower migrating vector DNA was purified. After ligation between the vector and the CfEcR-DEF(VYG) fragment described above, the ligation reaction was tranformed into bacteria. The positive colonies were selected by colony PCR using the primers mentioned above. The VYG mutations in the selected clone were confirmed by sequencing.

Example 2

This Example describes the identification of ecdysteroid responsive CfEcR ligand binding domain substitution mutants that exhibit increased activity in response to ecdysteroidal ligand. In an effort to identify substitution mutations in the CfEcR that increase ecdysteroidal ligand activity, Applicants mutated amino acid residues predicted to be critical for ecdysteroid binding and created GAL4/mutantCfEcR-DEF cDNA gene expression cassettes as described in Example 1 above using PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis kit. The mutated and the WT cDNAs corresponding to the various switch constructs outlined above in Example were made and tested in GAL4-driven luciferase reporter assays as described below.

Transfections: DNAs were transfected into mouse NIH3T3 cells (ATCC) as follows. Standard methods for culture and maintenance of the cells were followed. Cells were harvested and plated 96-well plates at 2,500 cells per well, in 50 μL of growth medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Twenty-four hours later, the cells were treated with 35 μL of serum-free growth medium containing either dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO; control) or a DMSO solution of ligand. The cells were then transfected using Superfect™ (Qiagen Inc.) transfection reagent. For each well, 0.625 μL of Superfect™ was mixed with 14.2 μL of serum-free growth medium. 0.16 μg of reporter construct and 0.04 μg of each receptor construct were added to the transfection reagent mix. The contents of the transfection mix were mixed in a vortex mixer and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. At the end of incubation, 15 μL of transfection mix was added to the cells. The cells were maintained at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ for 48 hours in 5% FBS.

Ligands: The ecdysteroidal ligands ponasterone A and 20-hydroxyecdysone were purchased from Sigma Chemical Company and Invitrogen. The non-ecdysteroidal diacylhydrazine ligand N-(2-ethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)-N′-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N′-tert-butylhydrazine (RG-102240, GS®-E ligand) is a synthetic stable ecdyecdysteroid ligand that was synthesized at Rohm and Haas Company. The non-ecdysteroidal, diacylhydrazine ligands RG-101691, RG-102362, RG-115840, RG-115853, RG-115855, RG-115859 and RG-115898 were synthesized by RheoGene Inc. The synthesis of RG-101691, RG-102362, RG-115840, RG-115859 and RG-115898 is described below. The synthesis of RG-115853 and RG-115855 is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/775,883. The non-ecdysteroidal tetrahydroquinoline ligands RG-120499 and RG-120500 were synthesized by RheoGene, Inc. and were described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/460,820. All ligands were dissolved in DMSO.

Ligand Synthesis Preparation of 3,5-Dimethyl-benzoic Acid N-tert-butyl-N′-(3-ethyl-2-methyl-benzoyl)-hydrazide (RG-101691)

3-Amino-2-methylbenzoic acid (6.16 g) was heated at reflux for 30 minutes in concentrated HBr. The mixture was cooled to 0° C. and treated with a solution of NaNO₂ at 0° C. (2.8 g in 5.6 mL H₂O). The resultant diazonium salt solution was slowly added to a preheated (60-70° C.) solution of CuBr (3.8 g) in 3.2 mL concentrated HBr. After the addition, the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and filtered. The recovered filter cake was washed first with water and then with 10% HCl, and dried in air to yield 6.93 g of 3-bromo-2-methylbenzoic acid as a light purple powdery solid. This material was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed twice with 5% HCl dried over Na₂SO₄, and recrystallized from 4:1 hexanes:ethyl acetate first at room temperature and then under refrigeration. ¹H NMR (DMSO, 200 MHz), δ (ppm): 7.72 (dd, 2H), 7.2 (t, 1H), 2.5 (s, 3H).

3-Bromo-2-methylbenzoic acid (7.03 g, 32.7 mmol) was refluxed in 10 mL of SOCl₂ (98 mmol) and a drop of DMF for 3 hours. Excess SOCl₂ was removed in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in 20 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and added to an ice-chilled solution of 2-amino-2-methyl-propan-1-ol (8.74 g, 9.36 mL) in 20 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours and the solvent was removed in vacuo to leave an oily residue. SOCl₂ (7.4 mL, 100 mL, 3 eq.) was added to this residue over a period of one hour, the mixture was stirred an additional 30 min, and then poured into 150 mL of ether. An oily immiscible phase formed and the ether was discarded. The oil was mixed with 100 mL of 20% NaOH, and extracted with 3×150 mL portions of ether. The ether extracts were combined, dried over MgSO₄, and the solvent was removed in vacuo to yield a yellow oil. Chromatography on silica gel using 4:1 hexane: ether as eluant yielded 4.87 g of 2-(3-bromo-2-methyl-phenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazole as a colorless oil. (Rf=0.25 (4:1 hexane: ether). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz), δ (ppm): 7.62 (m, 2H), 7.1 (t, 1H), 4.1 (s, 2H), 2.6 (s, 3H), 1.4 (s, 6H).

2-(3-bromo-2-methyl-phenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazole (3.4 g, 12.7 mmol) was dissolved in 30 mL of ethyl ether under nitrogen atmosphere in a 100 mL round bottom flask equipped with magnetic stirring, thermometer, and reflux condenser. Ni(dppp)Cl₂ (100 mg) was added and the mixture was cooled to 0° C. in an ice bath. Ethyl magnesium bromide (5.5 mL, 3M in ether) was added, the reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 minutes, at room temperature for 2½ hours, and finally at reflux for 2 hours. The mixture was then cooled to 0° C., quenched with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl. The organic layer was removed and the aqueous layer was extracted with ether. The organic phases were combined and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was removed in vacuo to give 2.84 g 2-(3-ethyl-2-methyl-phenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazole, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz), δ (ppm): 7.5 (d, 2H), 7.2 (m, 2H), 4.1 (s, 2H), 2.7 (m, 2H), 2.45 (s, 3H), 1.4 (s, 6H), 1.2 (t, 3H), Rf=0.25 (4:1 hexane:ether), containing ca. 5% original aryl bromide. The oxazoline was suspended in 100 mL of 6N HCl and refluxed for 5 hours with vigorous stirring. The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, whereupon 3-ethyl-2-methyl-benzoic acid crystallized: 1.74 g, m.p. 96-98° C., ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz), δ (ppm): 7.85 (d, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.22 (t, 1H), 2.7 (q, 2H), 2.6 (s, 3H), 1.21 (t, 3H). An additional 110 mg was recovered by ether extraction of the aqueous phase.

3-Ethyl-2-methyl-benzoic acid (0.517 g) was refluxed in 3 mL of thionyl chloride with a drop of DMF for several hours. Thionyl chloride was removed in vacuo to yield 0.89 g (4.48 mmol) of 3-ethyl-2-methyl-benzoyl chloride. The acid chloride was dissolved in 5 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and added slowly and simultaneously but separately with 5 mL of aqueous NaOH (0.30 g, 7.5 mmol) to a solution of 3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid N-tert-butyl-hydrazide (0.96 g, 4.36 mmol) dissolved in 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂ prechilled to −5° C. During the addition, the temperature was kept below 5° C. The mixture was allowed to warm slowly to room temperature and was stirred overnight. The organic layer was removed and the aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic extracts were combined, dried, and solvent was removed in vacuo to give 1.5 g crude product. This residue was extracted with 100 mL of hexanes under reflux, and the hot extract was decanted from an oily residue and allowed to cool to room temperature, whereupon 3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid N-tert-butyl-N′-(3-ethyl-2-methyl-benzoyl)-hydrazide crystallized (0.56 g, m.p. 167-169° C., ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz), δ (ppm): 7.43 (s, 1H), 7.18 (m, 1H), 7.1 (s, 2H), 7.03 (s, 1H), 7.0 (m, 1H), 6.35 (d, 1H), 2.58 (q, 2H), 2.3 (s, 6H), 1.95 (s, 3H), 1.6 (s, 9H), 1.15 (t, 3H). Dissolution of the oily residue and crystallization yielded a second crop of less pure material, 0.21 g.

Preparation of 3,5-Dimethyl-benzoic Acid N-tert-butyl-N′-(3-isopropyl-2-methyl-benzoyl)-hydrazide (RG-102362)

A dry 3-neck 250 mL round bottom flask equipped with magnetic stirring and held under a nitrogen atmosphere was charged with 5.0 g 2-(3-bromo-2-methyl-phenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazole, 60 mL anhydrous THF, and 100 mg Ni(dppp)Cl₂. The mixture was cooled to 15° C., and isopropyl magnesium chloride (11 mL, 2M in ethyl ether) was added. A mild exotherm took place, and the mixture darkened slightly. The reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature, at which point ¹H NMR indicated 50% completion. Addition of ca 75 mg Ni(dppp)Cl₂ and reflux for 3 hours resulted in no further progression of the reaction. The mixture was cooled to 15° C., and an additional 13 mL of isopropyl magnesium chloride (2M in ethyl ether) and 100 mg of nickel catalyst were added and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction was quenched with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl, the organic layer was removed, the aqueous layer was extracted, and the organic phases were combined and dried. The solvent was removed in vacuo to yield 3.84 g crude product as a yellow oil. Column chromatography on silica gel using 4:1 hexanes: ether as eluant yielded 0.79 g of 2-(3-isopropyl-2-methyl-phenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazole as a colorless oil. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz), δ (ppm): 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.37 (d, 1H), 7.22 (t, 1H), 4.13 (s, 2H), 3.23 (m, 1H), 2.5 (s, 3H), 1.45 (s, 6H), 1.22 (d, 6H). The oxazoline was suspended in 34 mL of 6N HCl and refluxed in an oil bath for 6 hours. The mixture was cooled and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The extract was dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to yield 0.76 g of 3-isopropyl-2-methyl-benzoic acid, suitably pure for the next step. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz), δ (ppm): 7.8 (d, 1H), 7.48 (d, 1H), 7.3 (t, 1H), 3.3 (m, 1H), 2.55 (s, 3H), 1.2 (d, 6H).

3-Isopropyl-2-methyl-benzoic acid (0.75 g) was refluxed in ca. 3 mL of thionyl chloride with a drop of DMF fro several hours and thionyl chloride was removed in vacuo to yield 3-isoproyl-2-methyl-benzoyl chloride. The acid chloride was dissolved in 5 ML of CH₂Cl₂ and added slowly and simultaneously but separately with 5 mL of aqueous NaOH (0.265 g, 6.6 mmol) to a solution of 3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid N-tert-butyl-hydrazide (0.973 g, 4.4 mmol) dissolved in 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂ prechilled to −5° C. During the addition, the temperature was kept below 5° C. The mixture was allowed to warm slowly to room temperature and was stirred overnight. The organic layer was removed and the aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic extracts were combined, dried, and solvent was removed in vacuo to give 1.61 g of crude product as a yellow oil. This material was chromatographed on silica gel using 4:1 hexanes: ethyl acetate as eluant, and subsequently triturated from 1:1 hexane: ether, yielding 3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid N-tert-butyl-N′-(3-isoproyl-2-methyl-benzoyl)-hydrazide, after arduous removal of ether in a vacuum oven at 60° C. (0.35 g, m.p. 182.5° C. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz), δ (ppm): 7.6 (s, 1H), 7.25 (d, 1H), 7.1 (s, 2H), 7.05 (s, 1H), 7.0 (m, 1H), 6.3 (d, 1H), 3.1 (m, 1H), 2.3 (s, 6H), 1.95 (s, 3H), 1.6 (s, 9H), 1.18 (m, 6H).

Preparation of 3,5-dimethyl-benzoic Acid N′-(5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbonyl)-N-(1-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-hydrazide (RG-115858)

2.38 g (18 mmol) of t-butyl carbazate were dissolved in 50 mL of CH₂Cl₂ in a 250 mL round bottom flask and cooled to 0° C. An aqueous K₂CO₃ solution was prepared (4.15 g K₂CO₃/35 mL H₂O) and added to the reaction mixture which was again cooled to 0° C. 3.63 g (16 mmol) of 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbonyl chloride were dissolved in 40 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and added from a separatory funnel, drop-wise over 15 min. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 days. The reaction mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel with CH₂Cl₂ and H₂O. The water phase was thoroughly extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The CH₂Cl₂ extract was then extracted with 0.5N HCl, dried, and evaporated. The residue was further dried in a vacuum oven to yield 5.15 g of a tan solid of N′-(5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbonyl)-hydrazinecarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. TLC (1:1 ethyl acetate: hexane) gave a single spot at Rf=0.43 and NMR indicated a very pure product: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ (ppm): 7.5 (br, 1H), 7.0 (br, 1H), 6.75 (d, 2H), 4.28 (br, 4H), 2.76 (m, 2H), 1.5 (s, 9H), 1.18 (t, 3H).

5.15 g (16 mmol) of N′-(5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbonyl)-hydrazinecarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester were added to a 200 mL round bottom flask. About 20 mL of trifluoroacetic acid were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. Then about 40 mL of water were added, followed by the slow addition of cold 10% NaOH/H₂O, with stirring, until the acid was neutralized (pH˜14). The reaction mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel and extracted with ethyl acetate by shaking gently (caution: gas evolution). The ethyl acetate extract was dried and evaporated to yield 5.51 g of a pale, viscous yellow semi-solid. The material was then placed in a 50° C. vacuum oven for about 1 hour to yield 4.62 g of 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid hydrazide. The t-Boc cleavage is best accomplished with neat trifluoroacetic acid; use of adjunctive solvents always resulted in much lower yields. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ (ppm): 7.0 (br, 1H), 6.83 (m, 1H), 6.71 (m, 1H), 4.28 (br s, 4H), 2.76 (m, 2H), 1.6 (br, 2H), 1.17 (t, 3H).

1.12 g (5.1 mmol) of 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid hydrazide, 1.37 g (12 mmol) of 2,2 dimethyl pentanone-3, 30 mL of ethanol, and 20 drops of glacial acetic acid were refluxed for 6 hours to generate 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid (1-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl-propylidene)-hydrazide, which was used in situ. To the cooled reaction mixture, was added 3 mL of glacial acetic acid and 0.63 g (10 mmol) of NaCNBH₃. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. 25 mL of water were added and most of the alcohol was removed on a rotary evaporator. Then 10% NaOH/H₂O was added until the reaction mixture was basic. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate, which was then dried and evaporated to give 1.61 g of residue. Pure 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid N′-(1-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-hydrazide was obtained (ca. 0.77 g) by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with 25% ethyl acetate/hexane. TLC: Rf=0.53, 1:1 ethyl acetate: hexane). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ (ppm): 7.1 (br s, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 6.7 (d, 1H), 4.27 (m, 4H), 2.8 (m, 2H), 2.4 (m, 1H), 1.7 (m, 1H), 1.3 (m, 1H), 1.2 (t, 3H), 1.15 (t, 3H), 0.97 (s, 9H).

0.214 g (0.70 mmol) of 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid N′-(1-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-hydrazide, 151 mg (0.9 mmol) of 3,5 dimethylbenzoyl chloride, 7 mL of 25% K₂CO₃/H₂O and 7 mL of CH₂Cl₂ were added to a 20 mL vial and stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel, and dilute NaHCO₃ and CH₂Cl₂ were added. The CH₂Cl₂ layer was separated and the water layer extracted twice with CH₂Cl₂. The CH₂Cl₂ extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to yield 0.59 g of a white residue. Purification by column chromatography and elution with 15 mL of 20% ethyl acetate/hexane yielded about 350 mg of 3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid N′-(5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbonyl)-N-(1-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-hydrazide (95% pure by TLC: Rf=0.56, 1:1 ethyl acetate:hexane). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ (ppm): 7.05 (s, 1H), 7.0 (s, 2H), 6.6 (d, 1H), 6.27 (d, 1H), 4.65 (d, 1H), 4.25 (s, 4H), 2.9 (m, 1H), 2.3 (s, 6H), 2.0 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.7 (m, 2H), 1.25 (m, 3H), 0.9-1.2 (3s, 9H), 0.9 (t, 3H).

Preparation of 3,5-dimethoxy-4-methyl-benzoic acid N-(1-tert-butyl-3,4,4-trimethyl-pent-2-enyl)-N′-(5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbonyl)-hydrazide (RG115898)

2.38 g (18 mmol) of t-butyl carbazate were dissolved in 50 mL of CH₂Cl₂ in a 250 mL round bottom flask and cooled to 0° C. An aqueous K₂CO₃ solution was prepared (4.15 g K₂CO₃/35 mL H₂O) and added to the reaction mixture which was again cooled to 0° C. 3.63 g (16 mmol) of 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbonyl chloride were dissolved in 40 mL of CH₂Cl₂ and added from a separatory funnel, drop-wise over 15 min. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 days. The reaction mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel with CH₂Cl₂ and H₂O. The water phase was thoroughly extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The CH₂Cl₂ extract was then extracted with 0.5N HCl, dried, and evaporated. The residue was further dried in a vacuum oven to yield 5.15 g of a tan solid of N′-(5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbonyl)-hydrazinecarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. TLC (1:1 ethyl acetate: hexane) gave a single spot at Rf=0.43 and NMR indicated a very pure product: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ (ppm): 7.5 (br, 1H), 7.0 (br, 1H), 6.75 (d, 2H), 4.28 (br, 4H), 2.76 (m, 2H), 1.5 (s, 9H), 1.18 (t, 3H).

5.15 g (16 mmol) of N′-(5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbonyl)-hydrazinecarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester were added to a 200 mL round bottom flask. About 20 mL of trifluoroacetic acid were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. Then about 40 mL of water were added, followed by the slow addition of cold 10% NaOH/H₂O, with stirring, until the acid was neutralized (pH˜14). The reaction mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel and extracted with ethyl acetate by shaking gently (caution: gas evolution). The ethyl acetate extract was dried and evaporated to yield 5.51 g of a pale, viscous yellow semi-solid. The material was then placed in a 50° C. vacuum oven for about 1 hour to yield 4.62 g of 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid hydrazide. The t-Boc cleavage is best accomplished with neat trifluoroacetic acid; use of adjunctive solvents always resulted in much lower yields. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ (ppm): 7.0 (br, 1H), 6.83 (m, 1H), 6.71 (m, 1H), 4.28 (br s, 4H), 2.76 (m, 2H), 1.6 (br, 2H), 1.17 (t, 3H).

2,2,5,6,6-Pentamethyl-hept-4-en-3-one (1.48 g, 8.1 mmol) was dissolved in n-butyl alcohol (20 mL). Then 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid hydrazide (1.80 g, 8.1 mmol) and 10 drops of glacial acetic acid were added. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 20 hours (required for complete reaction) and monitored by TLC. To a solution of the intermediate 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid (1-tert-butyl-3,4,4-trimethyl-pent-2-enylidene)-hydrazide were added 1.8 mL glacial acetic acid and 1.02 g (16.2 mmol) of sodium cyanoborohydride. The reaction was refluxed for three hours. The reaction was cooled and 50 mL of water and 10% aqueous NaOH were added until the reaction was basic (pH=ca. 14). Most of the alcohol was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was extracted with EtOAc. The aqueous extract was dried and concentrated to constant weight, yielding 4 g of a viscous material. 2.3 g pure 5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid N′-(1-tert-butyl-3,4,4-trimethyl-pent-2-enyl)-hydrazide was obtained (yellow oil, R_(f)=0.30 in 25% EtOAc in n-Hexane, yield 73%) by column chromatography on silica gel. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ (ppm): 7.42 (br, 1H), 6.80 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.71 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.17 (br, 1H), 5.30 (dd, J=0.8, 10 Hz, 1H), 4.33-4.29 (m, 4H), 3.68 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H), 2.80 (m, 2H), 1.72 (s, 3H), 1.21 (s, 3H), 1.12 (s, 9H), 1.05 (s, 9H).

5-Ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid N′-(1-tert-butyl-3,4,4-trimethyl-pent-2-enyl)-hydrazide (150 mg, 0.39 mmol) and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-methylbenzoyl chloride (83 mg, 0.39 mmol) were dissolved in 5 mL CH₂Cl₂. 5 mL of 25% K₂CO₃ were added, and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction was monitored by TLC. The phases were separated, adding additional CH₂Cl₂ and/or water as needed to aid manipulation. The CH₂Cl₂ layer was dried and solvent was removed in vacuo to provide 210 mg of crude product. This material was purified by silica gel column chromatography, eluting with a step gradient of 10-25% ethyl acetate in hexane to yield 3,5-dimethoxy-4-methyl-benzoic acid N-(1-tert-butyl-3,4,4-trimethyl-pent-2-enyl)-N′-(5-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbonyl)-hydrazide RG115898 (83 mg, R_(f)=0.19 in 25% ethyl acetate in n-hexane, yield 38%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 10.19 (s, 1H), 6.75 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1), 6.69 (s, 2H), 6.61 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.43 (d, J=10.0 Hz, 1H), 5.41 (d, 14.4 Hz, 1H), 4.30-4.20 (m, 4H), 3.80 (s, 6H), 2.21-2.15 (m, 1H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 1.81 (m, 1H), 1.76-1.64 (m, 1H), 1.06 (s, 9H), 1.00 (s, 9H), 0.70 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 3H).

Preparation of 3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid N-(1-tert-butyl-pentyl)-N′-(4-ethyl-benzoyl)-hydrazide (RG-115840)

2,2-Dimethyl-heptan-3-ol (0.23 mol) was dissolved in 350 mL of CH₂Cl₂ in a 500 mL round bottom flask with a magnetic stirbar. The flask was partially cooled with ice. 76.6 g (0.355 mol) of pyridinium chlorochromate was added, while vigorously stirring. The reaction turned black and warmed up slightly. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solution was decanted away from the black sludge, which was rinsed with hexane. The organic extracts were combined and chromatographed directly on silica gel. (Note: only silica has been found to trap and remove the reduced non-reacted chromium compounds). The product, 2,2-dimethyl-heptan-3-one, eluted with CH₂Cl₂/hexane and in a subsequent 10% ethyl acetate/hexane fraction to yield 29.19 g of product at 88% yield. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ (ppm): 2.48 (t, 2H), 1.54 (m, 2H), 1.28 (m, 2H), 1.13 (s, 9H), 0.90 (m, 3H).

Preparation of 4-ethyl-benzoic Acid N′-(1-tert-butyl-pentyl)-hydrazide

4-Ethyl-benzoic acid hydrazide (1.64 g, 10 mmol) were dissolved in 12.5 mL methanol. One drop of acetic acid was then added, followed by 1.55 g 2,2-dimethyl-heptan-3-one. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for several days, at which time 2.1 mL acetic acid and 667 mg NaBH₃CN were added. After stirring for ca. 7 hours, the methanol was removed in vacuo. The residual product was diluted with ca. 20 mL of water and extracted with methylene chloride. The extracts were dried over MgSO₄, filtered from solids, and solvent was removed in vacuo to provide 1.8 g crude product. This material was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a 100% hexanes-100% ethyl ether gradient. 4-Ethyl-benzoic acid N′-(1-tert-butyl-pentyl)-hydrazide was recovered in 45% yield (1.32 g).

4-Ethyl-benzoic acid N′-(1-tert-butyl-pentyl)-hydrazide (145.2 mg, 0.5 mmol) was dissolved in 5 mL methylene chloride and 1.5 mmol PS-NMM (804 mg, a —SO2NH(CH₂)₃-morpholine functionalized polystyrene resin available from Argonaut Technologies, San Carlos, Calif.) was added. The mixture was diluted with 3 ml methylene chloride to generate a stirrable suspension. 3,5-dimethylbenzoyl chloride (0.5 mmol, 74 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred overnight. The following day, 1 mmol (775 mg) of AP-NCO resin (isocyanate-functionalized resin available from Argonaut Technologies, San Carlos, Calif.) and 1 mmol (401.6 mg) of AP-trisamine (polystyrene-CH₂NHCH₂CH₂NH(CH₂CH₂NH₂)₂ resin available from Argonaut Technologies, San Carlos, Calif.) were added with 3 mL methylene chloride to scavenge remaining starting material. The mixture was stirred for 4 hours, the resins were filtered away, and the filtrate was dried to provide 191 mg crude product which indicated one spot by TLC analysis. This material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using a gradient of 100% hexane-100% ethyl ether. Yield: 50 mg (ca. 23%) 3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid N-(1-tert-butyl-pentyl)-N′-(4-ethyl-benzoyl)-hydrazide. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ (ppm): 7.8+7.5 (br/br, 1H), 7.4-6.9 (m, 7H), 4.7+3.6 (m/m, 1H), 2.65 (m, 2H), 2.38+2.28 (s/s, 6H), 1.9+1.75 (br, 2H), 1.4-1.2 (br, m, 7H), 1.1 (br s, 9H), 0.95 (br s, 3H).

Reporter Assays: Cells were harvested 40 hours after adding ligands. 125 μL of passive lysis buffer (part of Dual-luciferase™ reporter assay system from Promega Corporation) were added to each well of the 24-well plate. The plates were placed on a rotary shaker for 15 minutes. Twenty μL of lysate were assayed. Luciferase activity was measured using Dual-luciferase™ reporter assay system from Promega Corporation following the manufacturer's instructions. Fold induction (FI) activities were calculated by dividing relative light units (“RLU”) in ligand treated cells with RLU in DMSO treated cells (untreated control).

Example 3

This Example describes the identification of CfEcR ligand binding domain substitution mutants that are generally ecdysteroid responsive that exhibit increased activity in response to ecdysteroids. In an effort to identify substitution mutations in the CfEcR that increase ecdysteroid activity, Applicants mutated amino acid residues and created GAL4/mutantCfEcR-DEF cDNA gene expression cassettes as described in Example 1 above using PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis kit. The mutated and the WT cDNAs corresponding to the various switch constructs outlined above in Example 1.1 and 1.2 were made and tested in a GAL4-driven luciferase reporter assay as described in Example 2.

Specific amino acid residues were identified that, when substituted, yield a mutant ecdysone receptor that exhibits increased activity in response to an ecdysteroid ligand. The effect of an amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1 on the activity of the mutated CfEcR-DEF receptor is presented in Table 3a as a fold increase over Gal4/wild-type CfEcR-DEF (WT) switch activity. The effect of an amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 96 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and double amino acid substitution at amino residues 96 and 119 on the activity of the mutated CfEcR-DEF receptor is presented in Table 3b as EC₅₀ and relative maximum fold induction. EC₅₀s were calculated from dose response data using a three-parameter logistic model. Relative Max FI was determined as the maximum fold induction of the tested ligand (an embodiment of the invention) observed at any concentration relative to the maximum fold induction of GS®-E ligand (RG-102240; 3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid N-tert-butyl-N′-(2-ethyl-3-methoxy-benzoyl)-hydrazide) observed at any concentration.

TABLE 3a CfEcR-DEF mutant that shows increased ecdysteroid activity Fold increase over WT N119F 1.6 nM GS ®-E ligand (RG-102240) 1.22 8 nM GS ®-E ligand (RG-102240) 0.73 40 nM GS ®-E ligand (RG-102240) 0.06 200 nM GS ®-E ligand (RG-102240) 0.01 1 μM GS ®-E ligand (RG-102240) 0.08 5 μM GS ®-E ligand (RG-102240) 0.59 1.6 nM PonA 1.33 8 nM PonA 1.7 40 nM PonA 9.42 200 nM PonA 6.50 1 μM PonA 3.00

TABLE 3b CfEcR-DEF mutants that shows increased ecdysteroid activity DAH DAH THQ THQ DAH RG- RG- RG- RG- ECD ECD Mutant RG-102240 101691 102362 120499 120500 20E PonA V96S EC50 1.14 0.87 2.07 >33 >33 >33 ~2 (μM) V96S Rel 1 0.9 0.57 0 0 0.02 0.92 Max FI N119F/V96T EC50 ~8 3.63 ~10 ~20 >33 ~8 ~0.3 (μM) N119F/V96T Rel 1 0.13 0.19 0.1 0.02 0.46 2.02 Max FI

As seen in Tables 3a and 3b, the activity of ecdysteroids was increased significantly when the CfEcR ligand binding domain was mutated at amino acid residues 96 or 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and double mutated at amino acid residues 96 and 119 of SEQ ID NO: 1, indicating that these residues are important residues in the ligand binding pocket of CfEcR.

Example 4

This Example describes the identification of additional CfEcR ligand binding domain substitution mutants that are generally non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine responsive that exhibit increased activity in response to diacylhydrazine ligands. In an effort to identify substitution mutations in the CfEcR that increase diacylhydrazine ligand activity Applicants mutated amino acid residues predicted to be critical for ecdysteroid binding and created GAL4/mutantCfEcR-DEF cDNA gene expression cassettes as described in Example 1 above using PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis kit. The mutated and the WT cDNAs corresponding to the various switch constructs outlined above in Example 1.1 and 1.2 were made and tested in GAL4-driven luciferase reporter assays as described in Example 2.

Specific amino acid residues were identified that, when substituted, yield mutant ecdysone receptors that exhibit increased activity in response to non-ecdysteroid diacylhydrazine ligands. The effect of an amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 48, 52, 54, 109, 110, 125, 132 and 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a double substitution at amino acid residues 52 and 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1 on the activity of the mutated CfEcR-DEF receptor is presented in Tables 4a and 4b as EC₅₀ and relative maximum fold induction. EC₅₀s were calculated from dose response data using a three-parameter logistic model. Relative Max FI was determined as the maximum fold induction of the tested ligand (an embodiment of the invention) observed at any concentration relative to the maximum fold induction of GS®-E ligand (3,5-dimethyl-benzoic acid N-tert-butyl-N′-(2-ethyl-3-methoxy-benzoyl)-hydrazide) observed at any concentration.

TABLE 4a CfEcR mutants that show increased diacylhydrazine ligand activity DAH DAH DAH THQ THQ ECD ECD Mutant RG-102240 RG-101691 RG-102362 RG-120499 RG-120500 20E PonA A110E EC50(μM) 0.59 0.85 1.02 >33 >33 >33 ~10 A110E Rel Max FI 1 1.03 0.78 0 0.01 0 1.09 A110N EC50(μM) 1.41 0.88 0.72 >33 >33 >33 >33 A110N Rel Max FI 1 0.99 0.86 0 0 0 0 F109M EC50(μM) 0.66 0.65 0.82 >33 ~20 >33 ~20 F109M Rel Max FI 1 0.75 0.6 0.04 0.05 0 0.16 A110P EC50(μM) 0.55 0.67 0.77 >33 >33 >33 >33 A110P Rel Max FI 1 0.89 0.64 0 0 0 0 F48Y EC50(μM) 1.27 0.93 0.59 >33 >33 >33 ~10 F48Y Rel Max FI 1 0.69 0.48 0 0 0 0.33 F48W EC50(μM) ~1 1.53 0.77 >33 >33 >33 ~10 F48W Rel Max FI 1 0.74 0.51 0 0 0 0.65 F48L EC50(μM) 0.46 0.3 0.56 >33 >33 >33 ~10 F48L Rel Max FI 1 0.81 0.53 0 0 0 0.59 M54T EC50(μM) 0.08 0.03 0.05 >33 >33 >33 9.46 M54T Rel Max FI 1 0.71 0.66 0 0 0 0.5 T52L EC50(μM) ~0.5 0.21 0.33 >33 >33 >33 5.03 T52L Rel Max FI 1 0.74 0.61 0 0 0 0.54 T52V/A110P EC50(μM) 0.33 0.24 0.32 >33 >33 >33 >33 T52V/A110P Rel Max FI 1 0.66 0.94 0 0 0 0

TABLE 4b CfEcR mutants that show increased diacylhydrazine ligand activity Mutant RG-102240 RG-115840 RG-115853 RG-115855 RG-115859 RG-115898 F48R EC50 7.23 3.58 0.1 5.18 9.41 >33 (μM) F48R Rel Max 1 2.65 5.71 1.02 1.25 0 FI L132E EC50 0.41 1.67 1.54 0.45 0.08 2.15 (μM) L132E Rel Max 1 1.56 1.12 1.15 0.51 0.34 FI M125I EC50 1.36 3.02 1.53 2 0.28 >33 (μM) M125I Rel Max 1 0.45 0.54 0.69 0.76 0 FI L223Y EC50 3.15 0.58 0.65 0.3 1.27 0.33 (μM) L223Y Rel Max 1 1.42 0.77 1.6 0.79 0.2 FI M125G EC50 14.17 2.97 0.14 0.08 5 0.08 (μM) M125G Rel Max 1 47.96 39.41 46.54 3.14 28.81 FI M125N EC50 9.88 3.3 0.5 0. > 33 8 0.94 (μM) M125N Rel Max 1 22.56 11.64 25.3 4.11 11.57 FI

As seen in Tables 4a and 4b, the activity of diacylhydrazines was increased significantly when the CfEcR ligand binding domain was mutated at amino acid residues 48, 52, 54, 109, 110, 125, 132 and 223 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and double mutated at amino acid residues 52 and 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1, indicating that these residues are important residues in the ligand binding pocket of CfEcR.

Example 5

This Example describes the identification of additional CfEcR ligand binding domain substitution mutants that are generally diacylhydrazine and ecdysteroid responsive that exhibit increased activity in response to diacylhydrazine ligand and ecdysteroid. In an effort to identify substitution mutations in the CfEcR that increase diacylhydrazine ligand activity and ecdysteroid ligand activity, Applicants mutated amino acid residues and created GAL4/mutantCfEcR-DEF cDNA gene expression cassettes as described in Example 1 above using PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis kit. The mutated and the WT cDNAs corresponding to the various switch constructs outlined above in Example 1.1 and 1.2 were made and tested in GAL4-driven luciferase reporter assays as described in Example 2. The effect of an amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 109, 132, 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or substitution at amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 107, 127 and addition of a glycine at the end of SEQ ID NO: 1 on the activity of the mutated CfEcR-DEF receptor is presented in Table 5.

TABLE 5 CfEcR mutants that show increased diacylhydrazine and ecdysteroid activity DAH DAH DAH THQ THQ RG- RG- RG- RG- RG- ECD ECD Mutant 102240 101691 102362 120499 120500 20E PonA F109W EC50 0.61 0.49 1.41 >33 >33 >33 4.06 (μM) F109W Rel Max 1 0.79 0.7 0.01 0.01 0 0.08 FI V107I/Y127E/T52V EC50 0.06 0.02 <0.01 >33 >33 >33 ~1 (μM) V107I/Y127E/T52V Rel Max 1 0.88 0.73 0 0 0.04 0.67 FI V107I/Y127E/G EC50 0.17 0.02 0.06 >33 >33 >33 1.65 (μM) V107I/Y127E/G Rel Max 1 0.85 0.81 0 0 0.03 0.67 FI L132M EC50 0.77 0.51 0.13 >33 >33 >33 5.47 (μM) L132M Rel Max 1 0.77 0.66 0.01 0.04 0 0.57 FI L132V EC50 2.32 0.66 0.29 >33 >33 >33 6.56 (μM) L132V Rel Max 1 0.77 0.74 0.01 0.04 0 0.57 FI W238P EC50 ~0.4 0.65 0.29 >33 >33 >33 ~3.3 (μM) W238P Rel Max 1 0.91 0.4 0.01 0.01 0 0.73 FI

As seen in Table 5, both diacylhyrazine and ecdysteroid activities were increased when the CfEcR ligand binding domain was mutated at amino acid residues 48, 51, 52, 54, 96, 120, 125, 128, 132, 234 and 238, indicating that these residues are important residues in the ligand binding pocket of CfEcR.

Example 6

This Example describes the identification of additional CfEcR ligand binding domain substitution mutants that are generally diacylhydrazine and tetrahydroquinoline responsive that exhibit increased activity in response to diacylhydrazine and tetrahydroquinoline ligands. In an effort to identify substitution mutations in the CfEcR that increase diacylhydrazine ligand activity and tetrahydroquinoline ligand activity, Applicants mutated amino acid residues predicted and created GAL4/mutantCfEcR-DEF cDNA gene expression cassettes as described in Example 1 using PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis kit. The mutated and the WT cDNAs corresponding to the various switch constructs outlined above in Example 1.1 and 1.2 were made and tested in GAL4-driven luciferase reporter assays as described in Example 2. The effect of triple mutations at amino acid residues 107, 110 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and double mutations at 107 and 127 of SEQ ID NO: 1 on the activity of the mutated CfEcR-DEF receptor is presented in Table 6.

TABLE 6 CfEcR mutants that show increased diacylhydrazine and tetrahydroquinoline activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DAH DAH DAH THQ THQ ECD ECD Mutant RG-102240 RG-101691 RG-102362 RG-120499 RG-120500 20E PonA V107I/Y127E/A110P EC50(μM) 0.30 0.34 0.10 ~20 3.71 >33 >33 V107I/Y127E/A110P Rel Max FI 1.00 0.96 0.63 0.08 0.16 0.00 0.01 V128F/A110P EC50(μM) ~8 ~5 0.45 0.28 >33 >33 V128F/A110P Rel Max FI 1.00 0.08 0.51 0.68 0.00 0.00

As seen in Table 6, both non-ecdysteroid, diacylhyrazine and tetrahydroquinoline activities were increased when the CfEcR ligand binding domain was mutated at amino acid residues 107, 110 and 127 and 107 and 127, indicating that these residues are important residues in the ligand binding pocket of CfEcR.

Example 7

Table 7 describes the effect of the diacylhydrazine GS™-E ligand versus the DMSO control at various concentrations on the maximum fold induction of various CfEcR mutants.

TABLE 7 Effect of GS ™-E ligand v. DMSO control on the maximum fold induction of CfEcR mutants. GS ™-E ligand max FI (relative Concentration Mutant to DMSO) (mM) at max FI A110E 4926 10.00 A110N 1678 10.00 A110W 5207 10.00 F109W 3063 10.00 F109P 1 10.00 F109L 20 33.30 F109M 1475 3.3 F109N 1506 33.3 F48Y 1355 33.3 F48W 1638 33.3 F48L 2599 33.3 I51N 1 33.30 I51L 2478 33.30 L132M 1517 10.00 L132N 785 33.30 L132V 2128 10.00 L234M 4578 33.30 L234I 2650 10 M125P 1 33.3 M125R 2407 33.3 M125C 9 33.3 M54W 1678 10 M54T 4460 10.00 M92L 1203 33.30 M92E 141 33.30 R95H 3413 33.30 R95M 1691 33.30 R95W 1820 33.30 T52L 1128 33.3 T52E 1537 33.3 V96L 4378 10 V96W 615 33.3 V96S 1828 33.3 W238P 4812 10 W238E 1018 33.3 W238Y 11 33.3 Y120W 1889 33.3 Y120M 1708 33.3 N119F/V96T 1738 33.3 V107I/Y127E 3146 10 V107I/Y127E/A110P 2212 10 M125E 1196 33.3 M125L 2250 33.3 T52P 301 33.3 V96E 2963 33.30 A110P 2289 3.30 V128F/A110P 2960 33.30 V128F 550 33.30

Example 8

This Example describes the identification of additional CfEcR ligand binding domain substitution mutants that exhibit decreased activity in response to diacylhydrazine ligands. In an effort to identify substitution mutations in the CfEcR that decrease diacylhydrazine ligand activity, Applicants mutated amino acid residues predicted to be critical in diacylhydrazine binding and created GAL4/mutantCfEcR-DEF cDNA gene expression cassettes as described in Example 1 using PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis kit. The mutated and the WT cDNAs corresponding to the various switch constructs outlined above in Example 1.1 and 1.2 were made and tested in GAL4-driven luciferase reporter assays as described in Example 2. The effect of an amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 48, 51, 52, 54, 92, 95, 96, 109, 120, 125, 219, 223, 234 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1 on the activity of the mutated CfEcR-DEF receptor is presented in Tables 8a and 8b.

TABLE 8a CfEcR mutants that show decreased diacylhydrazine activity DAH DAH THQ THQ DAH RG- RG- RG- RG- ECD ECD Mutant RG-102240 101691 102362 120499 120500 20E PonA M92L EC50 ~8 9.9 ~20 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) M92L Rel Max 1 0.41 0.05 0 0 0 0 FI M92E EC50 ~8 ~20 >33 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) M92E Rel Max 1 0.08 0.04 0 0 0 0.01 FI R95W EC50 ~7 ~10 ~8 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) R95W Rel Max 1 0.37 0.25 0 0 0 0 FI T52E EC50 ~7 ~7 7.16 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) T52E Rel Max 1 0.57 0.34 0 0 0 0 FI W238E EC50 ~6 ~8 3.45 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) W238E Rel Max 1 0.71 0.45 0 0 0 0 FI Y120M EC50 ~4 ~10 ~10 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) Y120M Rel Max 1 0.3 0.13 0 0 0 0.04 FI I51L EC50 3.2 2.28 3.35 >33 >33 >33 ~8 (μM) I51L Rel Max 1 0.88 0.53 0 0 0 0.66 FI V96W EC50 ~1 3.61 3.26 >33 >33 >33 ~3.3 (μM) V96W Rel Max 1 0.75 0.38 0 0.01 0 0.83 FI Y120W EC50 4.21 9.76 4.96 >33 >33 >33 ~10 (μM) Y120W Rel Max 1 0.89 0.67 0.02 0.01 0 0.69 FI W238Y EC50 ~13 >33 >33 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) W238Y Rel Max 1 0.3 0.06 0.13 0.1 0.18 0.07 FI F109N EC50 2.7 3.95 1.85 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) F109N Rel Max 1 0.85 0.4 0 0 0 0 FI L234M EC50 1.43 1.79 2.04 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) L234M Rel Max 1 0.77 0.43 0 0 0 0.02 FI M125E EC50 ~2 0.98 0.83 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) M125E Rel Max 1 0.53 0.4 0 0 0 0 FI V96E EC50 ~2 1.62 1.86 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) V96E Rel Max 1 0.81 0.48 0 0 0 0.02 FI F48N EC50 0.75 1.73 1.68 >33 >33 >33 ~20 (μM) F48N Rel Max 1 0.88 0.66 0 0 0 0.17 FI L234I EC50 0.77 0.94 2.46 >33 >33 >33 ~7 (μM) L234I Rel Max 1 0.73 0.44 0 0.01 0 0.56 FI M54W EC50 1.17 1.63 1.24 >33 >33 >33 ~10 (μM) M54W Rel Max 1 0.75 0.44 0.01 0.01 0 0.46 FI V96L EC50 ~1 1.68 2.67 >33 >33 >33 7.49 (μM) V96L Rel Max 1 0.62 0.58 0 0 0 0.49 FI

TABLE 8b CfEcR mutants that show decreased diacylhydrazine activity Mutant RG-102240 RG-115840 RG-115853 RG-115855 RG-115859 RG-115898 I51M EC50 3.94 4.13 2.94 1.33 2 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.27 0.46 0.84 1.07 0.02 FI L234R EC50 17.1 20 >33 >33 20 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 2.24 0.2 0.21 3.8 0.58 FI L234W EC50 11.48 >33 >33 6 5 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.06 0.07 0.44 0.42 0.02 FI M219A EC50 2.9 2.87 3.65 1.44 3.18 1 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.6 0.79 0.86 0.85 0.05 FI L223K EC50 3.93 1 2.5 1.23 0.38 0.28 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.93 0.54 0.87 0.9 0.18 FI M125V EC50 1.64 3.79 1.72 2 1 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.47 0.5 0.74 0.87 0.01 FI M219K EC50 2.9 >33 3.31 1.93 5 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.01 0.22 0.34 0.66 0 FI M219W EC50 3.35 2.33 ~20 2 4 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.39 0.12 0.34 0.46 0 FI M219Y EC50 0.82 1 ~20 2 2 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.68 0.05 0.32 0.51 0.01 FI T52M EC50 6.74 5 1.36 10 3.56 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.15 0.32 0.66 1.08 0.01 FI T52R EC50 6.69 >33 5 3.31 6.14 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.02 0.06 0.1 0.41 0 FI W238L EC50 11.13 2 >33 2 5 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.41 0.02 0.09 1.08 0 FI W238M EC50 10.47 2 >33 2 1.85 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.41 0.05 0.72 16.07 0.03 FI F48K EC50 11.09 3.76 4.42 2.45 >33 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.18 0.71 4.78 0.02 0.08 FI T52G EC50 3.52 3.61 3.35 2 6.49 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.23 0.28 0.31 0.44 0.01 FI T52Q EC50 2.95 2 >33 0.56 1.11 20 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.34 0.04 0.39 1.02 0.08 FI L223R EC50 8.69 2 2 1.2 5.19 >33 (μM) Rel Max 1 0.25 0.09 1.35 0.61 0.01 FI

As seen in Tables 8a and 8b, the activity of diacylhydrazines was decreased significantly when the CfEcR ligand binding domain was mutated at amino acid residues 48, 51, 52, 54, 92, 95, 96, 109, 120, 125, 219, 223, 234 or 238 of SEQ ID NO: 1, indicating that these residues are important residues in the ligand binding pocket of CfEcR.

Example 9

This Example describes the identification of additional CfEcR ligand binding domain substitution mutants that are generally tetrahydroquinoline responsive that exhibit increased activity in response to tetrahydroquinoline ligands. In an effort to identify substitution mutations in the CfEcR that increase tetrahydroquinoline ligand activity, Applicants mutated specific amino acid residues and created GAL4/mutantCfEcR-DEF cDNA gene expression cassettes as described in Example 1 using PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis kit. The mutated and the WT cDNAs corresponding to the various switch constructs outlined above in Example 1.1 and 1.2 were made and tested in GAL4-driven luciferase reporter assays as described in Example 2. The effect of an amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 110 or 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the double amino acid substitution at amino acid residues 110 and 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1 on the activity of the mutated CfEcR-DEF receptor is presented in Table 9.

TABLE 9 CfEcR mutants that show increased tetrahydroquinoline activity DAH DAH DAH THQ THQ RG- RG- RG- RG- RG- Mutant 102240 101691 102362 120499 120500 ECD 20E ECD PonA A110W EC50 1.37 1.06 2.99 ~10 ~5 >33 >33 (μM) A110W Rel Max 1 0.8 0.55 0.06 0.07 0 0.01 FI V128F EC50 >33 ~8.3, 5.4 >33 >33 ~10 ~10 >33 (μM) V128F Rel Max 0 0.04 2.34 0.05 1 0.02 0.03 FI V128F/A110P EC50 ~8 ~5 0.45 0.28 >33 >33 (μM) V128F/A110P Rel Max 1 0.08 0.51 0.68 0 0 FI

As seen in Table 9, the activity of tetrahydroquinolines was increased significantly when the CfEcR ligand binding domain was mutated at amino acid residues 110 or 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1 or doubled mutated at amino acid residues 110 and 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1, indicating that these residues are important residues in the ligand binding pocket of CfEcR.

Example 10

This Example describes the identification of additional CfEcR ligand binding domain substitution mutants that are differentially responsive to diacylhydrazine ligands. These mutants exhibit a general decrease in diacylhydrazine activity; however they are selectively responsive to a specific diacylhydrazine ligand. In an effort to identify substitution mutations in the CfEcR, Applicants mutated specific amino acid residues and created GAL4/mutantCfEcR-DEF cDNA gene expression cassettes as described in Example 1 using PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis kit. The mutated and the WT cDNAs corresponding to the various switch constructs outlined above in Example 1.1 and 1.2 were made and tested in GAL4-driven luciferase reporter assays as described in Example 2. The effect of an amino acid substitution at amino acid residue 52, 95, 109, 125 or 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1 on the activity of the mutated CfEcR DEF receptor is presented in Tables 10a and 10b.

TABLE 10a CfEcR mutants that show decreased diacylhydrazine activity and increased activity in response to diacylhydrazine RG-115855 RG- RG- RG- RG- RG- RG Mutant 102240 101691 102362 115855 120499 120500 20E PonA F109L EC50 ~2 2.34 ~2.5 1.73 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) F109L Rel Max 1 0.68 0.17 1.01 0.03 0.02 0.09 0.03 FI L132M EC50 ~12 ~20 >33 0.39 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) L132M Rel Max 1 0.08 0.01 0.90 0 0 0.01 0.01 FI R95H EC50 1.58 3.9 3.49 0.78 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) R95H Rel Max 1 0.96 0.62 0.68 0 0 0 0.03 FI R95M EC50 2.76 3.3 4.28 3.74 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) R95M Rel Max 1 0.57 0.27 0.33 0 0.01 0 0 FI M125L EC50 ~10 >33 >33 0.16 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) M125L Rel Max 1 0 0.01 2.15 0 0 0 0 FI T52P EC50 ~10 >33 ~6 3.87 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) T52P Rel Max 1 0.02 0.11 1.93 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.03 FI M125W EC50 3.49 4.94 3.5 0.03 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) M125W Rel Max 1 0.74 0.44 1.24 0 0 0 0 FI M125R EC50 3.7 ~10 10.38 0.02 >33 >33 >33 ~8 (μM) M125R Rel Max 0 0.01 0 1.39 0 0.01 0 FI M125C EC50 ~8, >33 33 33 0.58 33 33 33 33 (μM) M125C Rel Max 1 0.62 0.15 876.58 0.27 0.14 0.22 0.28 FI M125P EC50 >33 >33 >33 0.45 >33 >33 >33 >33 (μM) M125P Rel Max 1 5.25 0.78 380.86 0.65 1.3 1.29 0.7 FI

TABLE 10b CfEcR mutants that show decreased RG-102240 diacylhydrazine activity and increased activity in response to other diacylhydrazines Mutant RG-102240 RG-115840 RG-115853 RG-115855 RG-115859 RG-115898 M125S EC50 12.33 1.4 0.98 0.11 7.26 0.33 (μM) Rel Max 1 22.73 15.97 25.22 6.39 16.98 FI T52W EC50 18.33 4.07 2 0.96 7 0.18 (μM) Rel Max 1 30.59 89.32 49.21 2.81 4.24 FI

As seen in Tables 10a and 10b, the activity of diacylhydrazines was differentially affected when the CfEcR ligand binding domain was mutated at amino acid residues 52, 95, 109, 125 or 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1, indicating that these residues are important residues in the ligand binding pocket of CfEcR.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and the accompanying figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

It is further to be understood that all base sizes or amino acid sizes, and all molecular weight or molecular mass values, given for nucleic acids or polypeptides are approximate, and are provided for description. 

1. A recombinant gene expression modulation system comprising a recombinant gene expression cassette that is capable of being expressed in a host cell, the gene expression cassette comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a first polypeptide comprising: (a) a transactivation domain; (b) a DNA-binding domain that recognizes a response element associated with a gene whose expression is to be modulated; and (c) a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain that is capable of binding a diacylhydrazine and comprises either an amino acid residue substitution mutation of SEQ ID NO: 1 at (i) at least one of amino residues 54, 119, 127, 128 and 132, (ii) amino acid residues 96 and 119, (iii) amino acid residues 110 and 128, (iv) amino acid residues 52 and 110, (v) amino acid residues 132 and 125 (vi) amino acid residues 107, 110 and 127, (vii) amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127, or (viii) amino acid residues 107, 127 and an insertion at 259, or at least one of the mutations F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48N, F48R, F48K, I51M, I51N, 151L, T52M, T52E, T52P, T52R, T52W, T52G, T52Q, M92L, M92E, R95H, R95M, R95W, V96L, V96W, V96S, V96E, V96T, V1071, F109W, F109P, F109L, F109M, F109N, A110E, A110N, A110P, A110W, Y120W, Y120M, M125P, M125R, M125E, M125L, M125C, M125W, M125G, M125I, M125N, M125S, M125V, Y127E, M219K, M219W, M219Y, M219A, L223K, L223R, L223Y, L234M, L2341, L234R, L234W, W238P, W238E, W238Y, W238M and W238L.
 2. The recombinant gene expression modulation system according to claim 1, further comprising a second polynucleotide that encodes a second polypeptide, said second polypeptide comprising a second nuclear receptor ligand binding domain which is a vertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, an invertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, an ultraspiracle protein ligand binding domain, or a chimeric ligand binding domain comprising a first polypeptide fragment and a second polypeptide fragment, wherein said first polypeptide fragment is different from said second polypeptide fragment and each of the said first and said second fragments is a vertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, an invertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, or an ultraspiracle protein ligand binding domain.
 3. A recombinant gene expression modulation system comprising: (a) a first recombinant gene expression cassette that is capable of being expressed in a host cell comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a first polypeptide comprising: (i) a DNA-binding domain that recognizes a response element associated with a gene whose expression is to be modulated; and (ii) a first nuclear receptor ligand binding domain; and (b) a second recombinant gene expression cassette that is capable of being expressed in the host cell comprising a polynucleotide that encodes a second polypeptide comprising: (i) a transactivation domain; and (ii) a second nuclear receptor ligand binding domain, wherein one of said first and said second nuclear receptor ligand binding domains is capable of binding a diacylhydrazine, and comprises either an amino acid residue substitution mutation of SEQ ID NO: 1 at (1) at least one of amino residues 54, 119, 127, 128 and 132, (2) amino acid residues 96 and 119, (3) amino acid residues 110 and 128, (4) amino acid residues 52 and 110, (5) amino acid residues 132 and 125 (6) amino acid residues 107, 110 and 127, (7) amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127, or (8) amino acid residues 107, 127 and an insertion at 259, or at least one of the mutations F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48N, F48R, F48K, I51M, I51N, 151L, T52M, T52E, T52P, T52R, T52W, T52G, T52Q, M92L, M92E, R95H, R95M, R95W, V96L, V96W, V96S, V96E, V96T, V107I, F109W, F109P, F109L, F109M, F109N, A110L, A110N, A110P, A110W, Y120W, Y120M, M125P, M125R, M125E, M125L, M125C, M12SW, M125G, M125I, M125N, M125S, M125V, Y127E, M219K, M219W, M219Y, M219A, L223K, L223R, L223Y, L234M, L234I, L234R, L234W, W238P, W238E, W238Y, W238M and W238L.
 4. The recombinant gene expression modulation system according to claim 3, wherein said nuclear receptor ligand binding domain that comprises at least one amino acid residue substitution mutation is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain, a ubiquitous receptor ligand binding domain, an orphan receptor 1 ligand binding domain, a NER-1 ligand binding domain, a steroid hormone nuclear receptor 1 ligand binding domain, a retinoid X receptor interacting protein-15 ligand binding domain, a liver X receptor β ligand binding domain, a steroid hormone receptor like protein ligand binding domain, a liver X receptor ligand binding domain, a liver X receptor a ligand binding domain, a farnesoid X receptor ligand binding domain, a receptor interacting protein 14 ligand binding domain, or a farnesol receptor ligand binding domain.
 5. The recombinant gene expression modulation system according to claim 3, wherein the substitution mutation is M54W, M54T, N119F, L132M, L132N, L132V, L132E, T52V/A110P, V107I/Y127E/T52V, V107I/Y127E/G259 or V107I/Y127E/A110P.
 6. The recombinant gene expression modulation system according to claim 3, wherein the DNA-binding domain is an ecdysone receptor DNA-binding domain, a GAL4 DNA-binding domain, or a LexA DNA-binding domain.
 7. The recombinant gene expression modulation system according to claim 3, wherein the transactivation domain is an ecdysone receptor transactivation domain, a VP16 transactivation domain, a B42 acidic activator transactivation domain, or a p65 transactivation domain.
 8. An isolated polynucleotide, wherein said isolated polynucleotide encodes a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain that is capable of binding a diacylhydrazine, and comprises either an amino acid residue substitution mutation of SEQ ID NO: 1 at (a) at least one of amino residues 54, 119, 127, 128 and 132, (b) amino acid residues 96 and 119, (c) amino acid residues 110 and 128, (d) amino acid residues 52 and 110, (e) amino acid residues 132 and 125 (f) amino acid residues 107, 110 and 127, (g) amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127, or (h) amino acid residues 107, 127 and an insertion at 259, or at least one of the mutations F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48N, F48R, F48K, 151M, 151N, I51L, T52M, T52E, T52P, T52R, T52W, T52G, T52G, M92L, M92E, R95H, R95M, R95W, V96L, V96W, V96S, V96E, V96T, V107I, F109W, F109P, F109L, F109M, F109N, A110E, A110N, A110P, A110W, Y120W, Y120M, M125P, M125R, M125E, M125L, M125C, M125W, M125G, M125I, M125N, M125S, M125V, Y127E, V128F, M219K, M219W, M219Y, M219A, L223K, L223R, L223Y, L234M, L2341, L234R, L234W, W238P, W238E, W238Y, W238M and W238L.
 9. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 8, wherein the substitution mutation of SEQ ID NO: 1 is M54W, M54T, N119F, L132M, L132N, L132V, L132E, N119F/V96T, V128F/A110P, T52V/A110P, V107I/Y127E/T52V, V1071/Y127E/G259 or V107I/Y127E/A110P.
 10. An expression vector comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim 8 operatively linked to a transcription regulatory element.
 11. An isolated host cell comprising the expression vector of claim 10, wherein the transcription regulatory element is operative in the host cell.
 12. An isolated host cell comprising the recombinant gene expression modulation system according to claim
 3. 13. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 8, wherein said isolated polynucleotide further encodes at least one of an ecdysone receptor DNA-binding domain, a GAL4 DNA-binding domain, a LexA DNA-binding domain, an ecdysone receptor transactivation domain, a VP16 transactivation domain, a B42 acidic activator transactivation domain, or a p65 transactivation domain.
 14. An expression vector comprising the isolated polynucleotide according to claim 13 operatively linked to a transcription regulatory element.
 15. An isolated host cell comprising the expression vector of claim 14, wherein the transcription regulatory element is operative in the host cell.
 16. A recombinant gene expression cassette comprising an isolated polynucleotide that encodes (a) a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain, and a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain, (b) a polypeptide comprising a DNA-binding domain and a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain, or (c) a polypeptide comprising a transactivation domain and a nuclear receptor ligand binding domain, wherein said nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is capable of binding a diacylhydrazine, and comprises either an amino acid residue substitution mutation of SEQ ID NO: 1 at (a) at least one of amino residues 54, 119, 127, 128 and 132, (b) amino acid residues 96 and 119, (c) amino acid residues 110 and 128, (d) amino acid residues 52 and 110, (e) amino acid residues 132 and 125 (f) amino acid residues 107, 110 and 127, (g) amino acid residues 52, 107 and 127, or (h) amino acid residues 107, 127 and an insertion at 259, or at least one of the mutations F48Y, F48W, F48L, F48N, F48R, F48K, 151M, 151N, I51L, T52M, T52E, T52P, T52R, T52W, T52G, T520, M92L, M92E, R95H, R95M, R95W, V96L, V96W, V96S, V96E, V96T, V1071, F109W, F109P, F109L, F109M, F109N, A110E, A110N, A110P, A110W, Y120W, Y120M, M125P, M125R, M125E, M125L, M125C, M125W, M125G, M125I, M125N, M125S, M125V, Y127E, V128F, M219K, M219W, M219Y, M219A, L223K, L223R, L223Y, L234M, L234I, L234R, L234W, W238P, W238E, W238Y, W238M and W238L.
 17. The recombinant gene cassette according to claim 16, wherein said substitution mutation is M54W, M54T, L132M, L132N, L132V, L132E, N119F, N119F/V96T, V128F/A110P, T52V/A110P, V107I/Y127E/T52V, V1071/Y127E/G259, or V107I/Y127E/A110P.
 18. The recombinant gene cassette according to claim 16, wherein said at least one amino acid residue substitution mutation is V107I/Y127E and the insertion mutation is G259.
 19. The recombinant gene cassette according to claim 16, wherein said at least one amino acid residue substitution mutation is V107I/Y127E/A110P.
 20. The recombinant gene cassette according to claim 16, wherein said at least one amino acid residue substitution mutation is V107I/Y127E/T52V.
 21. The recombinant gene expression modulation system according to claim 3, wherein the other of said first and second nuclear receptor ligand binding domains is a vertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, an invertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, an ultraspiracle protein ligand binding domain, or a chimeric ligand binding domain comprising a first polypeptide fragment and a second polypeptide fragment, wherein said first polypeptide fragment is different from said second polypeptide fragment and each of said first and said second fragments is independently selected from a vertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, an invertebrate retinoid X receptor ligand binding domain, or an ultraspiracle protein ligand binding domain.
 22. The recombinant gene expression modulation system comprising the recombinant gene cassette according to claim 1, wherein said substitution mutation of SEQ ID NO: 1 is M54W, M54T, V128F, L132M, L132N, L132V, L132E, N119F/V96T, V128F/A110P, T52V/A110P, V107I/Y127E/T52V, V107I/Y127E/G259, or V107I/Y127E/A110P.
 23. The recombinant gene expression modulation system according to claim 1, wherein said nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain, a ubiquitous receptor ligand binding domain, an orphan receptor 1 ligand binding domain, a NER-1 ligand binding domain, a steroid hormone nuclear receptor 1 ligand binding domain, a retinoid X receptor interacting protein-15 ligand binding domain, a liver X receptor β ligand binding domain, a steroid hormone receptor like protein ligand binding domain, a liver X receptor ligand binding domain, a liver X receptor α ligand binding domain, a farnesoid X receptor ligand binding domain, a receptor interacting protein 14 ligand binding domain, or a farnesol receptor ligand binding domain.
 24. An isolated host cell comprising the recombinant gene expression modulation system according to claim
 1. 25. The recombinant gene expression modulation system of claim 23, wherein said nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain.
 26. The recombinant gene expression modulation system of claim 3, wherein said nuclear receptor ligand binding domain is an ecdysone receptor ligand binding domain.
 27. The isolated host cell of claim 1, wherein said cell is a mammalian cell.
 28. The isolated host cell of claim 27, wherein said cell is a human cell.
 29. The isolated host cell of claim 12, wherein said cell is a mammalian cell.
 30. The isolated host cell of claim 29, wherein said cell is a human cell.
 31. The isolated host cell of claim 15, wherein said cell is a mammalian cell.
 32. The isolated host cell of claim 31, wherein said cell is a human cell. 